Association of VEGF with Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast IDC

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a known contributor to angiogenesis in tumor growth. Its functions are numerous and include up-regulation of anti-apoptotic factors, vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration and enhanced vascular permeability. This study aimed at evaluating association of VEGF expression with regional (axillary) lymph node metastasis in patients with breast Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC). Paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 80 female patients with breast IDC were immunohistochemically assessed in Imam Reza Teaching Centre in a 12 month period of time. These specimens were categorized into two groups based on presence or absence of axillary lymph node metastasis (n = 40 for each group). Status of the VEGF was compared between the two groups. Both groups were comparable for age and cancer laterality. Mean tumor size, as well as the percentage of cases with grade III cancer was significantly higher in the group with axillary metastasis. “Rich” expression of VEGF was documented in 40% of the cases with nodal involvement vs. 25% of the cases with nodal spare. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the status of VEGF expression (p = 0.15). This difference was again insignificant after adjusting for tumor size and grade. In conclusion, there is apparently no significant association between severity of VEGF expression and axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast IDC.