Objective: To investigate the differences in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) count in breast benign affection, breast atypical hyperplasia, and breast carcinoma in situ and to clarify the association of VEGF expression and MVD with the clinicopathological features of these diseases.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry (SP-method) was used to examine the expression of VEGF and MVD count in 100 samples of breast benign affection (including 35 cases of breast fibroid tumor, 35 cases of breast cystic hyperplasia, and 30 cases of intraductal papilloma), and 15 samples of breast atypical hyperplasia, and 25 samples of breast carcinoma in situ, obtained during operation.
Results: The positive rate of VEGF of the breast carcinoma in situ group was 56% , significantly higher than hose of the breast benign affection and breast atypical hyperplasia groups (22% and 33% respectively, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant differences in positive rate of VEGF among breast fibroid tumor, breast cystic hyperplasia, and intraductal papilloma (all P > 0.05). The MVD value of the breast carcinoma in situ group was 20.1 +/- 6.1, significantly higher than those of the breast benign affection group and breast atypical hyperplasia groups (14.3 +/- 3. 5 and 18.5 +/- 3.6 respectively, both P < 0.05). There was no significant differences in MVD value among breast fibroid tumor, breast cystic hyperplasia, and intraductal papilloma (all P > 0.05).
Conclusion: In breast tumors, angiogenesis is probably mediated mainly by VEGF. The occurrence and progression of breast cancer may be related with the expression of VEGF.