Peritumoral Lymphatic Vessel Density and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C Expression in Early-Stage Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Abstract

Our findings suggest a potential role for VEGF-C in tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis represented by high peritumoral LVD, which may be one of the mechanisms leading to lymphatic invasion and metastatic spread. High peritumoral LVD may be an independent prognostic factor in early-stage cervical cancer.