Objective: To study the correlation between tumor angiogenesis and biological behaviors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).
Method: Angiogenesis was assessed by the microvessel dinsity(MVD) and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) was detected using immunohistochemical S-P method. Paraffin-embedded specimens from 65 patients with NPC and 15 with benign nasopharyngeal tumors, 15 with tumor-free nasopharyngeal mucosac were detected.
Result: Expressions of VEGF and MVD in NPC group were higher than that of nonmetastic carcinoma group. The relationship between expressions of VEGF and MVD and the clinical staging present statistic significance.
Conclusion: MVD and expression of VEGF are highly correlated with biological behaviors of NPC, which may serve as a parameter for determining tumor biological metastatic potential and prognosis. Angiogenesis inhibitors might be helpful in preventing NPC from metastasis.