Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in differantial diagnosis of malignant and benign effusion

Abstract

e21114 Background: The diagnosis of malignant effusions is established by cytologically and histologically. But, in numerous patients, diagnosis cannot be performed by recurrent cytologic investigations. Tumor markers and cytokines have been worked out for correction the diagnosis. Recent studies report high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in malignant and inflammatory effusions. VEGF is the most specific mytogenic factor for endothelial cells that has been known. It plays important roles in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. The aim of the study is to show the calculated VEGF levels in the serum and effusions of patients for the diagnosis of benign and malignant effusions. Methods: 25 patients wtih malignant effusion (patient group) and 25 patients with benign effusion (control group) are included the study. Patient groups were divided into 5 subgroups, which contain 5 patients each (ovarian carcinoma subgroup, breast carcinoma subgroup, lung cancer subgroup, malignant pleural mesotheli...