Serum and Urine Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as Prognostic Markers in Patients with Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Background: Bladder cancer is the second most common urinary cancer after prostate cancer. Recent studies have shown higher serum and urinary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in increased angiogenesis. In this study, the mean serum and urine level of VEGF was assessed in patients with bladder cancer. Methods: In this case-control study, 46 patients with bladder cancer referred to Imam-Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran and 38 subjects as control, were enrolled and the mean serum and urine level of VEGF was assessed and compared between the groups. Results: The mean serum level of VEGF was 478.7, 518.4, and 648.1 in control, low-grade, and high-grade groups, respectively, with no significant difference (P=0.175). The mean urine level of VEGF was 414.2, 968.3, and 848.4 in control, low-grade, and high-grade groups, respectively, with significant difference (P=0.010). Conclusion: The mean urine level of VEGF in patients with bladder cancer is higher than healthy subjects.

Keywords

• vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf)
• bladder cancer
• tumor marker