Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Clinical Significance in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective To study the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and invasion,metastasis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Methods Paraffin-embedded specimens from 30 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone radical hepatectomy were studied. Angiogenesis was assessed by the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor using LSAB immunohistochemical staining. VEGF positively stained cancer cells were counted in five areas of the highest density region under 400 times magnification microscopy. Results (1)The level of VEGF in HCC was higher than that in the non-tumorous liver tissue. (2) The level of VEGF expression in tumor with metastasis or in non-encapsulated tumors was higher than that in tumor without metastasis or in well-encapsulated tumors. (3)There was no significant differance in the expression of VEGF between large tumors of HCC(diameter 5 cm) and small ones(diameter ≤5 cm). \{Conclusion\} The expression of VEGF are highly correlated with invasion and metastasis in primary HCC,which may serve as a parameter for determining tumor metastasis and prognosis. \;