Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor C expression and lymph node metastasis in T1 carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is known to be associated with the development of the lymphatic vessel system. Recently, VEGF-C is thought to be correlated with lymph node metastasis in some malignant tumors. In this study, we investigated the correlation between VEGF-C expression and lymph node metastasis in early carcinoma of the colon and rectum.
METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-one endoscopically biopsied specimens from patients with T1 colorectal carcinoma prior to operation were investigated by an immunohistochemical study.
RESULTS: VEGF-C expression was more frequently observed in the tumors with nodal metastasis than in those without metastasis. Moreover, a multivariate analysis indicated that VEGF-C expression is an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis.
CONCLUSION: VEGF-C staining using endoscopically biopsied specimens prior to operation could be of use in the prediction of lymph node metastasis and in preoperative selection of treatment in patients with T1 colorectal carcinoma.