Impact of surgery and chemotherapy on von Willebrand factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in colorectal cancer.

Introduction: von Willebrand factor (vWf) is thought to mediate binding of tumour cells to platelets and to favour their systemic spreading capacity. Platelets involved in tumour angiogenesis are capable of releasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Hence, levels of vWf and VEGF may correlate with cancer stage.