The prognostic value of detection of serum VEGF-C level and lymphangiogenesis in mediastinal lymph nodes in the patients with lung cancer

Abstract

Background and objective There is still lack of special prognostic factor on lung cancer, this study will explore the prognostic value of serum VEGF-C level and lymphangiogenesis of primary cancer and mediastinal lymph nodes in the patients with lung cancer. Methods Thirty patients with NSCLC would accept operation (new group) and 30 cases followed up three years postoperative (history group) were chosen respectively. The serum VEGF-C level of new group was tested. The VEGF-C and LYVE-1 expression in the mediastinal lymph nodes were put in practice between two groups. The relationship was analyzed for the serum VEGF-C level, VEGF-C and LYVE-1 expression of primary cancer and mediastinal lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis and the 3-year survival rate of the patients. Results ?In new group, the serum VEGF-C level of N2 patients was significantly higher than that of non-N2 patients. ?In new group, the serum VEGF-C level was closely correlated with VEGF-C expression of primary cancer. ?In two groups, the primary cancer and mediastinal metastasis lymph nodes had high VEGF-C expression. ?VEGF-C expression of primary cancer and mediastinal lymph nodes was closely correlated with LYVE-1 expression between the two groups. ?VEGF-C and LYVE-1 expression of N2 patients was significantly higher than that of non-N2 patients between two groups. ?The patients' 3-year-survival rate was closely correlated with VEGF-C expression of primary cancer and mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis. Conclusion Serum VEGF-C level has close correlation with VEGF-C expression of primary cancer, lymphangiogenesis of primary cancer/mediastinal lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis status and patient's survival rate. Serum VEGF-C level is possible to be used as prognostic factor on lung cancer.