Evaluation of the correlation between colour power Doppler flow imaging and vascular endothelial growth factor in breast cancer

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between blood flow, using colour power Doppler flow imaging [CPDI], and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as measured by optical density (OD), in breast tumours. Breast cancer patients were observed pre-operatively using CPDI and VEGF protein levels were quantified by immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between the two was studied. The relationship between tumour angiogenesis and axillary lymph node (LN) metastasis was also analysed. Blood-flow grade was higher in the LN(+) group than in the LN(-) group; grade II - III blood flow was 88.9% in the LN(+) group. The VEGF protein levels in the LN(+) group were also higher than in the LN(-) group. A significant positive correlation was observed between blood-flow grade and OD value for VEGF protein. Breast tumour angiogenesis was closely correlated with axillary LN metastasis. Higher blood flow was related to elevated VEGF protein levels and an increased risk of axillary node metastasis. CPDI could, therefore, indirectly demonstrate tumour angiogenesis before surgery, enabling planning of treatment and assessment of the prognosis.