Background & objective: There may be a close relationship among the vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression, peritumour lymphatic vessels, and lymph node metastasis. The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship among VEGF-C mRNA expression, density of lymphatic and blood vessels, and lymphatic metastasis in oral squamous carcinoma.
Methods: VEGF-C mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Lymphatic and blood vessel differential stain was determined by enzyme-histochemical technique. Automated image analysis quantification was applied to determine the number of total lymphatic and blood vessels in unit area (TNa).
Results: The peri-tumor lymphatic TNa of oral carcinoma was significantly higher in VEGF-C-positive group than those in VEGF-C-negative group(26.42 +/- 5.85: 17.34 +/- 6.48) (P < 0.01), but the blood TNa was a few higher(35.16 +/- 15.55: 33.49 +/- 13.73) (P > 0.05). Lymphatic TNa (30.67 +/- 5.76: 21.94 +/- 5.84) (P < 0.01) and blood TNa (44.19 +/- 14.29: 30.61 +/- 11.82) (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in lymph node metastasis group than those in no-metastasis group.
Conclusion: VEGF-C mainly promotes peri-tumor lymphangiogenesis and has a little effect on angiogenesis. Simultaneous increase of lymphatic and blood vessels may be related to the synergic expression of VEGF, VEGF-C and their receptors.