Expression of Survivin and VEGF, and their prognostic role in thyroid carcinoma

Objective To study the expressions of Survivin and VEGF in thyroid carcinoma and their prognostic significance. Methods Expressions of Survivin and VEGF were detected in 70 cases of thyroid carcinoma, 14 of thyroid adenoma and 14 of normal thyroid tissues by EliVison immunohistochemistry, and meanwhile, compared with histology, TNM staging, pathology and lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Results Survivin and VEGF were expressed in 64% and 66%, respectively, of the 70 cases with thyroid carcinoma, with significant difference compared with those in thyroid adenomas and normal tissues (P0.05). Expressions of Survivin and VEGF varied with histology, TNM stages, pathology and lymph node metastasis (P0.05). Expressions of Survivin and VEGF correlated positively with each other (r=0.503, P0.01). For patients with thyroid carcinoma, the survival rate differed statistically between those tested negative and positive for Survivin or VEGR (P0.05), with the worst prognosis found in patients who tested positive for Survivin and VEGF. Conclusion Survivin and VEGF may be playing an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of thyroid carcinoma. Combined detection can provide valuable evidence for estimation of malignancy and prognosis in thyroid carcinoma.