Association of lymph vessel density with lymph node metastasis and VEGF-C expression in papillary thyroid cancer

Objective To investigate the association of lymph vessel density (LVD) with lymph node metastasis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in papillary thyroid cancer. Methods Tissue samples of primary tumor were collected from 80 patients with papillary thyroid cancer. The expression of VEGF-C was examined immunohistochemically, and LVD was assessed by calculating D2-40 positive lymph vessels. The association of clinicopathological parameters with VEGF-C expression and LVD were analyzed. Results Expression of VEGF-C was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and LVD. LVD expression in papillary thyroid cancer was positively correlated with regional lymph node metastasis, but not with age and tumor size. Conclusion Increased LVD is correlated with lymph node metastasis and VEGF-C expression.