Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 protein in nymph nodes of pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance

Objective To observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 protein(VEGFR-3) in pancreatic cancer tissues and lymph nodes,so as to discuss the relationship between VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 with the lymphatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Methods The expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 protein in pancreatic cancer tissues and lymph nodes was detected immunohistochemically in 25 patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy.The relation between the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 protein and lymphatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer was also analyzed.Results The positive rates of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in pancreatic cancer specimens were 80%(20/25),92%(23/25),respectively.The expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 at the border of the tumor specimen was significantly higher than that at the center of the tumor;VEGF-C and VEGFR- 3 protein expression was stronger in patients with a positive result in HE staining compared with those with negative results(P0.05).The expression of VEGF-C was significantly different between patients with different differentiation degree(x~2=4.17,P = 0.041) and the presence of duodenal infiltration(x~2=5.77,P = 0.018). The expression of VEGFR-3 was not significantly different in patients with different differential diagnoses. Conclusion The expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 protein is closely related to the incidence of lymph node metastasis of the pancreatic head carcinoma.VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 may induce lymphangiogenisis in pancreatic cancer,and thus promote the tumor cell lymph metastasis.