Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in keratinizing-type squamous cell uterine cervical cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intratumor expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is a prognostic factor. We examined specimens from 61 cases of carcinoma of uterine cervix (Ca-Cx). Specimens were stained with periodic acid-Schiff preparation with diastase (d-PAS) and alcian blue (pH 2.5) to identify the presence of intra cellular mucin. PD-ECGF expression and microvessel count (MVC) were assesse d by immunohistochemical staining. Twenty specimens stained positive for mu cin. MVC correlated with clinical stage (p<0.01). There was a correlation b etween PD-ECGF expression and survival time (p<0.05), but no correlation wa s seen between mucin staining positivity, MVC, and PD-ECGF expression and s urvival time by the Cox proportional hazard model. Intratumor PD-ECGF expre ssion was not a prognostic factor in keratinizing-type squamous cell carcin oma of the uterine cervix.