Expression of VEGF in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder

Aim: To investigate a new diagnostic method for the prognosis of bladder transitional cell cancer(TCC). Methods:Expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)in 68 cases of primary bladder TCC and 10 cases of normal bladder tissue was assayed using immunohistochemical technique (S-P method), and their relations with the pathological grading, clinical stages and prognosis were analyzed. Results: Normal bladder tissue showed negative VEGF staining.The positive rate of VEGF expression in TCC tissue was 45.6%(31/68), which was correlated with pathological grades,clinical stages,vessel infiltration,and lymph node metastasis(P0.01);39.3% patients with positive VEGF expression had a 5 year survival,which was lower than those with negative VEGF expression(P0.05). Conclusion: Expression of VEGF is correlated with the malignant degree of TCC.To detect the expression of VEGF may help to predict the prognosis of bladder TCC.