Vascular endothelial growth factor-C in patients with breast cancer.

Metastatic spread of tumours is the major cause of death in patients with breast cancer. Despite the importance of the lymphatic system in tumour metastasis, little is known about the role of lymphangiogenesis in tumour growth and metastasis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential usefulness of plasma levels of lymphanagiogenesis factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor-C (VEGF-C) as a prognostic factor in 122 patients with breast cancer. There was no significant difference between plasma levels of VEGF-C in patients with early (n =81), advanced (n =32) or inflammatory breast cancer (n =9) and 64 age matched healthy controls. We found no significant correlation between VEGF-C with age, tumour size, tumour grade, or disease-free and over-all survival. Plasma VEGF-C levels did not significantly differ in patients with positive oestrogen, progesterone, and Her-2 neu compared to those who were negative for these parameters. In conclusion our study has failed to show any prognostic value for plasma VEGF-C level in patients with breast cancer.