Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C correlates with a poor prognosis based on analysis of prognostic factors in patients with cervical carcinomas.

AIM

The aim of this study was to specifically investigate the clinicopathological role of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) as well as the correlation with clinical outcomes in cervical cancer.

METHOD

We carried out a comparative analysis of data from a prospective observational study of 82 patients with cervical carcinomas who underwent radical hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy from January 2001 to January 2005.

RESULTS

VEGF-C mRNA was identified in tumor tissues from 42 patients. In univariate analysis by Fisher's exact probability test, VEGF-C expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (pN1) (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis by Binary logistic regression analysis, LNM was the independent relevant factor for VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor tissues. In univariate analysis by the log-rank test, the overall 5-year survival rate of the patients with VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor tissues was significantly lower than that of the patients without VEGF-C mRNA expression (47.6% vs. 87.5%; P < 0.01). The overall 5-year survival rate of the patients with LNM was significantly lower than that of the patients without LNM (50.0% vs 80.4%; P < 0.01). According to Cox regression multivariate analysis, VEGF-C mRNA expression in tumor tissues and LNM were independent, relevant factors for 5-year survival rate, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of VEGF-C is related to lymph node metastasis (pN1), and is a prognostic indicator for cervical cancer.