The aim of this study was to specifically investigate the clinicopathological role of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) as well as the correlation with clinical outcomes in cervical cancer.

We carried out a comparative analysis of data from a prospective observational study of 82 patients with cervical carcinomas who underwent radical hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy from January 2001 to January 2005.

VEGF-C mRNA was identified in tumor tissues from 42 patients. In univariate analysis by Fisher's exact probability test, VEGF-C expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (pN1) (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis by Binary logistic regression analysis, LNM was the independent relevant factor for VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor tissues. In univariate analysis by the log-rank test, the overall 5-year survival rate of the patients with VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor tissues was significantly lower than that of the patients without VEGF-C mRNA expression (47.6% vs. 87.5%; P < 0.01). The overall 5-year survival rate of the patients with LNM was significantly lower than that of the patients without LNM (50.0% vs 80.4%; P < 0.01). According to Cox regression multivariate analysis, VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor tissues and LNM were independent, relevant factors for 5-year survival rate, respectively.

Expression of VEGF-C is related to lymph node metastasis (pN1), and is a prognostic indicator for cervical cancer.

© 2011 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2011 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

PMID: 21676077 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Source: National Library of Medicine.