Vascular endothelial growth factor expression is an independent negative predictor in extrahepatic biliary tract carcinomas

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most im portant factors for angiogenesis in various tumors. However, its clinical s ignificance in extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma remains unclear. Materi als and Methods: To clarify, the association of VEGF expression with the cl inicopathological features of the disease, surgical specimens from 51 patie nts were examined for VEGF expression by immunohistochemistry. Results: Six teen of 51 (31.4%) cases were positive for VEGF. VEGF immunoreactivity show ed a tendency toward association with lymph node metastasis, M category and peritoneal recurrence (p=0.059, 0.086 and 0.069, respectively). Overall su rvival in patients with VEGF positivity was significantly worse than in tho se with negativity (p=0.033 by log-rank test). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that VEGF expression was an independent negative predicto r (p=0.025). Conclusion: VEGF immunoreactivity is an independent negative p redictor in extrahepatic biliary tract carcinomas.