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Prognostic significance of VEGF immunohistochemical expression and tumor angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

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Abstract

Purpose: Tumor angiogenesis is crucial for both the growth of the primary tumor and the development of metastases. Among the factors causing tumor angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered as a leading candidate. We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of VEGF and tumor angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 69 patients with HNSCC, in order to investigate whether VEGF immunohistochemical expression and tumor angiogenesis correlate with clinicopathological parameters and outcome. Tumor angiogenesis was estimated by determining microvessel density (MVD), and VEGF expression was assessed quantitatively. Results: Vascular endothelial growth factor and MVD correlated statistically significant with the clinical stage, but not with the presence of lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Tumors located in the oral cavity and larynx more often expressed high VEGF immunostaining compared with tumors located in the lower lip. High VEGF expression was associated with higher clinical stage and worse overall survival in this cohort of patients. Conclusions: Vascular endothelial growth factor expression may have prognostic significance for patients with HNSCC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Panayiotis A Kyzas, Dimitrios Stefanou, Anna Batistatou & Niki J Agnantis

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  1. Panayiotis A Kyzas
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  2. Dimitrios Stefanou
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  3. Anna Batistatou
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  4. Niki J Agnantis
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Correspondence to Panayiotis A Kyzas.

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The manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors. All persons designated as authors have sufficiently participated in the work to take public responsibility for the content of the manuscript and each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work. DS generated the original idea and the protocol was developed by PAK and DS, and commented by AB and NJA. PAK performed the laboratory procedures; PAK and DS evaluated the experimental results and performed the statistical analyses. All authors interpreted the findings. PAK, DS, and AB drafted the final manuscript and NJA revised it critically. Conflicts of interest: None. Funding: None

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Kyzas, P.A., Stefanou, D., Batistatou, A. et al. Prognostic significance of VEGF immunohistochemical expression and tumor angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 131, 624–630 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-005-0003-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-005-0003-6

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