Role of angiogenesis in benign, premalignant and malignant vulvar lesions

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.