Correlation of VEGF expression, angiogenesis and carcinomatous change in breast tumors

Objective The aim of the study was to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in breast benign tissues and malignant tumors to clarify the relationship between VEGF expression, angiogenesis and breast carcinoma occurrence. Methods The expression of VEGF and MVD in 79 cases of invasive ductal breast carcinoma, 79 corresponding para-cancer normal tissues from primary invasive breast carcinomas, 35 breast carcinoma in situ , 23 breast atypical hyperplasia and 56 breast fibroid tumor were examined by immunohistochemistry staining (SP-method). Results The positive rate of VEGF and MVD value increased significantly with the increase of the malignant degree of breast tissues ( P = 0.000). In breast carcinoma group, the positive rate of VEGF and MVD value with lymph node metastasis were higher than those without lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.011 and P = 0.023). A significant higher expression of VEGF and MVD value were observed as the clinical stage increased ( P = 0.035 and P = 0.012). The MVD value was higher in VEGF positive group than negative group ( P = 0.000). Conclusion The combining detection of VEGF expression and MVD is helpful for evaluating malignant degree of breast carcinoma. Angiogenesis in breast tumors and occurrence of breast carcinoma might be correlated with the expression of VEGF.