The Correlation between Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Levels and Size of Colorectal Cancer Tumors

Background: Angiogenesis plays an important role in progression of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the predominant angiogenic factor in CRC and plays important role in cell mitosis, change in cell shape and increases vascular permeability. Vascular endothelial growth factor is expressed in approximately 50% of CRCs, and considered an important angiogenic factor in growth and development of CRC. In this study, we examined VEGF serum levels to asses corelation between serum VEGF levels and size of CRC tumors. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study involved 17 CRC patients with stage I, II, III. who had undergone large bowel resection at Karyadi Hospital and had not chemotherapy. Size of tumors grading system according to TNM system based on abdominal CT, whether serum levels of VEGF was assessed by ELISA. Results: In this study, we found the grading tumor size T1, T2 and T3 was 23,5%, 29,4 % and 47,1 % respectively. Significant statistical correlation (p=0.001) was found between serum VEGF levels and size tumors of CRC with strong relationship (rho>0,7). Conclusion: This study showed a correlation between serum VEGF levels and size of colorectal cancer tumors. Whether VEGF levels is affected by surgical procedure, we need further study to evaluate serum VEGF levels before surgical and tumor size according to treatment response.