RESUMO
The expressions of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (c-Met) protein were examined by immunohistochemistry in benign and malignant thyroid neoplasms.The results showed that the positive rates of HGF and c-Met protein expressions in thyroid carcinomas were significantly higher than those of thyroid adenomas,and especially the expressions of HGF and c-Met proteins in follicular thyroid carcinomas were significantly higher than those in follicular thyroid adenomas.There existed significantly positive correlation between the expression degrees of HGF and c-Met in follicular thyroid carcinoma.Thus,the expressions of HGF and c-Met may be valuable in predicting prognosis of thyroid carcinomas and differentiating benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms.
