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VEGF correlates with lymph node involvement

VEGF expression in colon cancer16

VEGF expression in colon cancer
Saad et al demonstrated a significant correlation between VEGF expression and lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer. Here, an immunostained sample of colorectal carcinoma shows that VEGF is localized to tumor tissue, whereas benign glands are VEGF negative.16

Adapted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Mod Pathol. 2006;19:1317-1323. © 2006.

Lymph node involvement is a key factor in the staging of colorectal cancer and is an important prognostic factor for both disease-free and overall survival. Recent research has shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be a factor in the spread of colorectal cancer to the lymph nodes.

Saad and colleagues investigated VEGF and lymphatic microvessel density in colorectal cancer and found a statistically significant correlation between VEGF expression and lymph node metastases (P=0.009) in their study of 90 patients with resected colorectal carcinoma.16 Ottaiano and colleagues reported similar findings in a study of 72 patients that showed a significant correlation (P=0.0044) between VEGF expression and lymph node involvement.15

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VEGF as a predictive factor

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