Rj. Gornall et al., Investigation of women with endometrial carcinoma using serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) measurement, INT J GYN C, 11(2), 2001, pp. 164-166
This study assessed whether serum VEGF measurement in women presenting with
endometrial cancer could pre-diet advanced stage disease. Preoperative ser
a from 37 women undergoing laparotomy for suspected endometrial cancer were
assayed for VEGF, CA125 and platelet count. Significant positive correlati
on was shown between VEGF and platelet levels (P = 0.003, r = 0.477). Howev
er, no correlation was demonstrated between VEGF and stage overall, and no
significant difference was shown between those with early (stage 1A/1B, n =
20) compared to those with advanced (stage >1B, n = 13) or disseminated (s
tage >2, n = 7) disease. Serum VEGF measurement was not beneficial in the p
reoperative assessment of stage in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Str
ong correlation with platelet levels suggests that this is one of the sourc
es of VEGF measured.