Role of angiogenesis in benign, premalignant and malignant vulvar lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the presence of angiogenic factors in benign, premalignant and malignant vulvar lesions.

STUDY

DESIGN

Immunohistochemical demonstration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in normal vulvar skin, lichen sclerosus, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and vulvar cancer.

RESULTS

VEGF was found in the majority of vulvar cancers but only a minority of VIN lesions. PD-ECGF was found in the majority of lesions.

CONCLUSION

Demonstration of angiogenesis may suggest which preinvasive lesions will progress to invasive cancer.