ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-D(VEGF-D)in lymphangiogenesis of breast cancer,and investigate its relationship with some clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. Methods VEGF-D expression was detected in 85 cases with primary breast carcinoma by immunohistochemistry,and VEGF-D mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.Podoplanin monoclonal antibody was used to mark lymphatic endothelial cell and lymphatic vessel density(LVD) was counted.The relationship among the aboved parameters,clinicopathological parameters and prognosis was analysed. Results It was revealed by immunohistochemistry that VEGF-D expression was ranked by 5 levels: negative,n=5(5.88%);"+",n=17(20%);"++",n=34(40%);"+++",n=22(25.88%),and "++++",n=7(8.24%).VEGF-D expression was associated with tumor lymph node metastasis and TNM clinical stage(P