Changes of angiogenesis in rectal cancer patients after preoperative radiotherapy / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of preoperative radiotherapy on angiogenesis of rectal cancer. Methods Twenty patients with advanced lower rectal carcinoma received preoperative radiation with a dosage of 30～40 Gy each time for a total of 15～20 sessions during a period of 3～4 weeks. The definitive surgery was performed 7～10 days after radiotherapy. Another 20 patients undergoing tumor resection without preoperative radiotherapy served as control. Tumor sample was sent for pathology. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD34 in the rectal cancer were detected immunohistochemically. The intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) was measured. Results Fifteen patients were found with grade Ⅱ and five patients with grade Ⅲ tissue response in radiotherapy group. The diameter of intratumoral microvessel was smaller in radiotherapy group than in control group( P