Methods: We examined the VEGF expression and microves- sel density in specimens surgically removed from 37 HCC patients by immunohistochemical methods.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Microvessel Density in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Dong-Bum Seo, M.D., Yeo-Goo Chang, M.D., Tae-Gil Heo, M.D., Sung-Woo Hong, M.D., In-Wook Paik, M.D. and Hyuck- sang Lee, M.D.

Department of Surgery, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a typical hy- pervascular tumor. Growth of tumor and their metastases are dependent on factors that stimulate vessel formation (angio- genesis). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported to play an important role in angiogenesis in hepato- cellular carcinoma. The present study examined VEGF ex- pression immunohistochemically in hepatocellular carcinoma

in clinicopathological prognostic factors.

Methods: We examined the VEGF expression and microves- sel density in specimens surgically removed from 37 HCC patients by immunohistochemical methods.

Results: The expression rate on VEGF was 43.2% in tumor cells. The degree of VEGF expression was significantly cor- related with cumurative survival rate (p=0.034). But the de- gree of VEGF expression did not correlate with any clinico- pathological characteristics (p.0.05). VEGF expression de- monstrated no correlation with microvessel density (p=0.064).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that VEGF expression can be useful prognostic factor (survival rate) of hepatocellu- lar carcinoma. (Korean J HBP Surg 2002;6:1-5)

Key Words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Vascular endothelial growth factor. microvessel density

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