Objective: To evaluate expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its relation to angiogenesis in bladder cancer.
Methods: The expression of VEGF by immunohistochemical staining was examined in 68 cases of primary transitional carcinoma (TCC) and 7 subjects with normal urothelium. Microvessel density (MVD) in 40 cases of invasive bladder cancer was determined by Factor VIII immunohistochemical staining.
Results: The expression of VEGF was negative or low level in all normal bladder tissue but high in bladder cancer. VEGF and MVD were closely related to tumor cell nuclear grade and clinical stage. The average MVD was higher in the cases with the high level expression of VEGF, than in those with the low level expression of VEGF.
Conclusions: This study indicates that VEGF is positively correlated with the occurrence and progression of bladder cancer. VEGF is one of the primary angiogenic factors for bladder cancer, and is able to induce tumor angiogenesis and accelerate tumor growth. Quantification of VEGF may provide a valuable marker for a poorer prognosis of patients.