Considering vascular endothelial growth factor elevation in sera as marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis

Background: Angiogenesis is the most important contributor for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to be one of the most contributing angiogenic factors and selective mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. This study was conducted to determine the circulating levels of VEGF in histopathologically proven well defined squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity with no metastasis and to compare with serum levels of patients with moderately and poorly differentiate squamous cell carcinomas with metastasis. Methodology: This study included 20 patients with no metastasis, 20 patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, and 20 healthy individuals as control. The values of healthy volunteers and patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma were compared for VEGF levels only. Results: Statistical analysis showed that mean VEGF levels in the sera of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with metastasis were significantly higher than that in patients with no metastasis. Moreover, serum VEGF level was understandably higher in both the groups than in controls. Conclusion: It may be safe to conclude that VEGF elevation in the serum can be a marker in case of metastatic oral squamous cell carcinomas