Serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C levels predict lymph node metastasis and prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer

Lymph node metastasis is the primary site of metastasis for patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC). Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has been implicated in the control of lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in various malignant tumors. However, the function of circulating VEGF-C is unclear and it is often difficult to evaluate lymph node metastasis and provide a prognosis for GBC. In the present study, ELISA was used to measure the preoperative serum VEGF-C (sVEGF-C) levels of 51 patients with GBC, 15 patients with chronic cholecystitis and 10 healthy volunteers. The results revealed a significantly increased sVEGF-C level in patients with GBC compared with the healthy donors, however no statistically significant difference was identified between patients with GBC and chronic cholecystitis. sVEGF-C levels were associated with lymph node metastasis in GBC and presented a positive correlation with VEGF-C expression and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in patients with GBC. The mean survival time with high sVEGF-C was significantly reduced compared with low sVEGF-C. A similar result was also observed for VEGF-C expression and LVD. In summary, sVEGF-C levels may predict lymph node metastasis and the prognosis of patients with GBC.