Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in salivary gland carcinomas correlates with lymph node metastasis.

BACKGROUND Carcinomas of the salivary glands are uncommon heterogeneous tumors characterized by locoregional invasion and distant metastasis. Angiogenesis is a necessary condition for invasion and metastasis, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered a prime mediator of this process. The relationship between VEGF and clinical outcome in cancers of diverse locations has been examined, yielding inconclusive results. PATIENTS AND METHODS An immunohistochemical study was conducted on the expression of VEGF protein in 66 salivary gland carcinomas and the relation between VEGF and clinicopathological parameters explored. RESULTS VEGF expression was seen in 41 tumors (62%) and was correlated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.005), clinical stage (p<0.02), cause-specific survival (p<0.01) and local failure-free survival (p<0.02). CONCLUSION VEGF can contribute to the progression of salivary gland carcinomas and seems to be associated with neck node metastasis, worse survival and poor local control of the disease.