Evaluation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C role in urothelial carcinomas of the bladder.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has been associated with angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and regional lymph node metastasis and was reported to have an anti-apoptotic and proliferative role.

Materials And Methods: An immunohistochemical study was applied to 123 specimens of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) to detect VEGF-C and investigate its clinicopathological and prognostic value. VEGF-C-immunostained BUC specimens (123) were statistically correlated with histological grade and stage, patient overall survival and immuno-expression of Ki-67 and bax proteins.