PREOPERATIVE SERUM VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR CAN PREDICT STAGE IN COLORECTAL-CANCER

Neovascularization has been shown to be essential for the growth of so lid tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the mo st important mediators of angiogenesis, This study was conducted to de termine the significance of this cytokine as a tumor marker for stagin g colorectal cancer. Preoperative serum VEGF was measured in 108 color ectal cancer patients and in 136 normal healthy controls. The results of this study showed a significant difference between the four T class es, Union International Contre Cancer (UICC) stages, and Dukes' stages . In comparison to serum levels in controls (median, 173.8 pg/ml), VEG F levels were significantly elevated in T, (P = 0.003), T-3, and T-4 ( P < 0.0005); UICC I (P = 0.001), UICC II, UICC III, and UICC TV (P < 0 .0005); and Dukes' A (P = 0.001), Dukes' B, and Dukes' C (P < 0.0005), Serum VEGF showed a significant elevation over control in node-negati ve (P < 0.0005) and in node-positive colorectal cancer (P < 0.0005) pa tients. Node-positive cancer had a significant elevation of serum VEGF compared to node-negative cancer (P = 0.008), This study reveals that preoperative serum VEGF can detect all but very early colorectal canc er i.e., T-1 (P = 0.06).