Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Arch Med Res. 2010 Nov;41(8):606-10. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2010.11.003.
Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) has been demonstrated to stimulate the growth of lymphatic vascular endothelium. The purpose of this study is to determine whether VEGF-C associated with computed tomography (CT) has a relationship with lymph node metastasis in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC).
One hundred twenty seven cases of BTCC were studied: first, both plain and enhanced CT scans of abdomen and pelvis were performed preoperatively; second, VEGF-C protein expressions in tumor cells were tested by immunohistochemistry postoperatively; and finally, detailed pathological findings for lymph node metastasis were recorded.
VEGF-C expressions in tumor bladder cells were significantly higher than those in normal bladder epithelium. In the group of BTCC-positive, VEGF-C was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (p <0.01). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of VEGF-C in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of bladder carcinoma were 87.0, 67.9, and 74.8%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT were 47.8, 80.2, and 68.5%, respectively. When VEGF-C visually correlated with CT scan in the detection of lymph node metastasis, sensitivity was 91.3%; specificity was 84.0% and accuracy was 86.6%.
Positive VEGF-C was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis of bladder carcinoma. VEGF-C expression in biopsy specimens may be beneficial in predicting pelvic lymph nodes. It can improve accuracy when combined with CT.
血管内皮生长因子 C（VEGF-C）已被证实可刺激淋巴管内皮生长。本研究旨在确定与 CT 相关的 VEGF-C 是否与膀胱移行细胞癌（BTCC）的淋巴结转移有关。
研究了 127 例 BTCC 患者：首先，术前进行腹部和骨盆的平扫和增强 CT 扫描；其次，术后通过免疫组织化学检测肿瘤细胞中 VEGF-C 蛋白的表达；最后，详细记录淋巴结转移的病理发现。
肿瘤膀胱细胞中的 VEGF-C 表达明显高于正常膀胱上皮。在 BTCC 阳性组中，VEGF-C 与淋巴结转移明显相关（p<0.01）。VEGF-C 诊断膀胱癌淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为 87.0%、67.9%和 74.8%。CT 的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为 47.8%、80.2%和 68.5%。当 VEGF-C 与 CT 扫描在检测淋巴结转移方面进行视觉相关时，灵敏度为 91.3%；特异性为 84.0%，准确性为 86.6%。
阳性 VEGF-C 与膀胱癌的淋巴结转移明显相关。活检标本中 VEGF-C 的表达可能有助于预测盆腔淋巴结。与 CT 结合使用可以提高准确性。
