RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study was aimed to determine the role of the VEGF and MVD expression in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast and to observe the correlation between the expression of these VEGF/MVD, and other prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of VEGF and MVD with monoclonal antibody in pathologic specimens of 35 patients of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast was carried out. Reiationship between the expression of the VEGF/MVD and prognostic factors were assessed. RESULTS: The VEGF/MVD expression was closely related to tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage, but not related to histologic grade, nuclear grade, estrogen receptor, and progestrone receptor. And the VEGF expression was closely related to MVD. CONCLUSION: The VEGF expression and microvessel density in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast may play an important prognostic factors, closely related to the tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and stage.