Correlation between VEGF expression and microvessel density in bladder urothelial carcinoma

Objective To investigate the correlation between VEGF expression and MVD,clinicopathological features in bladder urothelial carcinoma.Methods Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect VEGF in 54patients with primary bladder urothelial carcinoma and then counted the MVD in tumor,the relationship between VEGF expression and MVD was observed.Results The positive expression rate of VEGF in 54 patients with primary bladder urothelial carcinoma was 61.1％(33 cases),while there was no expression in normal bladder mucosa.MVD count of VEGF-positive group was significantly higher than VEGF-negative group,the difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05),and along with the enhanced of VEGF expression,MVD count increased significantly,the difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05); the expression of VEGF in cancer tissues enhanced significantly along with the increase of tumor grade,TNM stage and occurrence of lymph node metastasis(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The positive expression of VEGF was related with MVD and tumor malignant processes in bladder cancer,and it could provide valuable markers for the prognosis of patients. Key words: Urinary bladder neoplasms;  Vascular endothelial growth factor A;  Microvessel density