Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor expression and presence of lymph node metastasis in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx^{☆ ☆☆}

Abstract

Introduction:  Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common neoplasm of the larynx, and its evolution depends on tumor staging. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a marker of angiogenesis, and its expression may be related to increased tumor aggressiveness, as evidenced by the presence of cervical lymphatic metastases.

Objectives:   To evaluate the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor marker in non-glottic advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (T3/T4) and correlate it with the presence of cervical lymph node metastases.

Methods:  Retrospective clinical study and immunohistochemical analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor through the German scale of immunoreactivity in products of non-glottic squamous cell carcinomas.

Results:  This study analyzed 15 cases of advanced non-glottic laryngeal tumors (T3/T4), four of which exhibited cervical lymphatic metastases. There was no correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor expression and the presence of cervical metastases.

Conclusion:  Although vascular endothelial growth factor was expressed in a few cases, there was no correlation with the spread of cervical lymph metastases.

Squamous cell carcinoma of larynx; VEGF; Immunohistochemistry; Cervical lymphatic metastases