Objective: To evaluate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and colorectal cancer.
Methods: Samples of cancer and adjacent normal mucosa were taken from 34 patients with colorectal cancer. The percentage and average fluorescence intensity pf VEGF positive cells in these samples were examined by using flow cytometry.
Results: The percentage of VEGF positive cells was 57% +/- 29% in cancer tissue and 42% +/- 24% in normal tissue (P < 0.05). The average fluorescence intensity of VEGF positive cells was 24% +/- 11% in cancer tissue and 16% +/- 7% in normal tissue (P < 0.01). The percentage of VEGF positive cells was 30% +/- 22% in cancer of Dukes stage B and 72% +/- 18% in cancer of Dukes stage C (P < 0.01). The average fluorescence intensity was 18% +/- 25% in cancer of Dukes stage B and 27% +/- 12% in cancer of Dukes stage C (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: VEGF is associated with the development and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Its relation with degree of differentiation of colorectal cancer remains to be studied.