TY - JOUR T1 - Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Salivary Gland Carcinomas Correlates with Lymph Node Metastasis JF - Anticancer Research JO - Anticancer Res SP - 3661 LP - 3666 VL - 27 IS - 5B AU - PALOMA LEQUERICA-FERNÁNDEZ AU - AURORA ASTUDILLO AU - JUAN CARLOS DE VICENTE Y1 - 2007/09/01 UR - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/27/5B/3661.abstract N2 - Background: Carcinomas of the salivary glands are uncommon heterogeneous tumors characterized by locoregional invasion and distant metastasis. Angiogenesis is a necessary condition for invasion and metastasis, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered a prime mediator of this process. The relationship between VEGF and clinical outcome in cancers of diverse locations has been examined, yielding inconclusive results. Patients and Methods: An immunohistochemical study was conducted on the expression of VEGF protein in 66 salivary gland carcinomas and the relation between VEGF and clinicopathological parameters explored. Results: VEGF expression was seen in 41 tumors (62%) and was correlated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.005), clinical stage (p<0.02), cause-specific survival (p<0.01) and local failure-free survival (p<0.02). Conclusion: VEGF can contribute to the progression of salivary gland carcinomas and seems to be associated with neck node metastasis, worse survival and poor local control of the disease. Copyright© 2007 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved ER -