The association between vascular endothelial growth factor, microvessel density and clinicopathological features in invasive cervical cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a series of cervical carcinomas and to compare the results with the microvessel density (MVD) and clinicapathological features. Study design: The immunoreactivity for VEGF was studied in 130 invasive cervical carcinomas and in 22 patients with a carcinoma in situ of the cervix. The results were compared with the MVD. Results: Staining for VEGF of less then 50% per slide occurred in 80% of the invasive carcinomas and in 82% of the in situ carcinomas. The median MVD was 261 vv/mm(2) (range: 11-1000) in the invasive group and 146 vv/mm(2) (range: 25-536) in the in situ group, Unlike the microvessel density there was no association between VEGF expression and survival. The MVD was higher in VEGF poorer (<50%) tumours (P = 0,055). Beside tumour histology (P = 0.012) there were no other significant relationships between the remaining histopathological findings and VEGF expression. Conclusion: Tissue VEGF expression has:no prognostic value in contrast with the MVD in patients with invasive cervical cancer. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.