Relationship between VEGF-C with Lymphatic Vessel Density and Lymph Node Metastasis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism of lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis by detecting the expressive levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -C in non -small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The expressions of VEGF-C and D2-40 were detected in 62 paraffin sections of NSCLC and 10 normal lung tissues by immunohistochemistry method.Assessments of lymphatic vessel density(LVD) and positive rates of VEGF-C were performed and their relationship were analysed.Results: The positive rates of VEGF-C and LVD were significantly higher in NSCLC group than those in the normal lung tissue group (P = 0.004 and 0.000). No correlations were found between the expression of VEGF-C and age, gender, and histological type (P = 0.102, 0.387 and 0.121). There was a correlation between VEGF-C and tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, LVD and TNM stage (P = 0.005, 0.002, 0.002 and 0.000). The correlations were also found between lymph node metastasis, VEGF-C and LVD (P = 0.004 and 0.002). Conclusion: VEGF-C may mediate lymph node metastasis of NSCLC by the way of inducing lymphangiogenesis, and may serve as prognostic indicators and guide the treatment.