Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in small adenocarcinomas

The expression of two angiogenetic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), in small adenocarcinomas (less than or equal to2 cm in greatest dimension) in relation to pathological features and survival was determined. Tumor specimens were obtained from lungs of 80 patients who underwent curative operations with systematic nodal dissection. The median follow-up period was 47.7 months. Expression of VEGF and bFGF was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. The percentage of VEGF-positive tumors was 40.0%, and that of bFGF-positive tumors was 52.5%. VEGF-positivity was significantly associated with vessel invasion (p=0.03) and pathological stage (p=0.04). There was no significant statistical difference with respect to relapse (p=0.08), but a tendency to a lower disease-free survival rate was seen. bFGF-positivity was significantly associated with differentiation (p <0.01) and vessel invasion (p <0.01). The survival curves of bFGF were similar to those of VEGF. Even in small adenocarcinomas, VEGF and bFGF were significantly associated with histological features and survival.