Abstract
We examined the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to elucidate the relationship between angiogenesis and lung metastasis. Liver samples obtained from 40 autopsy cases of primary HCC patients were evaluated (20 patients with lung metastasis) . Immunohistochemical studies were performed using anti-CD34 and anti-VEGF antibodies. The proportion of cases with high MVD was significantly greater in the lung metastasis positive group, compared to the negative group. VEGF expression was not associated with lung metastasis. Clinicopathological features did not correlate with MVD. We conclude that MVD in HCC is an independent risk factor for lung metastasis.
