[Tumor angiogenesis in node-negative breast carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the microvessel density(MVD) in node-negative breast carcinoma, and to discuss the relationship of MVD and VEGF to the tumor size, histologic grade, and relapse and metastasis. Meanwhile, the prognostic value of MVD and VEGF was estimated. METHODS: MVD and VEGF were evaluated after immunohistochemical staining using antibody of vascular endothelium for factor VIII antigen and VEGF in 62 patients with node-negative breast carcinoma respectively. The patients were followed up. RESULTS: VEGF and MVD were all associated with histological grade and relapse (P < 0.05), but no association with ER and tumorsize; the relapse-free survivals (RFS) and overall survivals of patients with high MVD or high VEGF expression were significantly lower than that of the patients with low MVD or low VEGF expression (P < 0.01). Moreover, the difference of survivals in the patients with high MVD and high VEGF expression were more obvious(P < 0.005). Meanwhile, there was association between MVD and VEGF (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The node-negative patients with high VEGF expression or high MVD would have poor prognosis. VEGF and MVD could be significant prognostic indicators for the patients with node-negative breast carcinoma. It has better prognostic value to connected VEGF and MVD. VEGF was an important factor in tumor angiogenesis.