OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of angiogenic factors in benign, pre
malignant and malignant vulvar lesions.
STUDY DESIGN: Immunohistochemical demonstration of vascular endothelial gro
wth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-E
CGF) in normal vulvar skin, lichen sclerosus, vulvar intraepithelial neopla
sia (VIN) and vulvar cancer.
RESULTS: VEGF was found in the majority of vulvar cancers but only a minori
ty of VIN lesions. PD-ECGF was found in the majority of lesions.
CONCLUSION: Demonstration of angiogenesis may suggest which preinvasive les
ions will progress to invasive cancer.