Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral malignancy that preferentially spreads to the cervical lymph node which, when involved, complicates the anticancer therapy and threatens the patient life. It was suggested that lymph node (LN) metastasis may be facilitated by lymphangiogenesis. VEGF C is one of the most important lymphangiogenic inducers that promotes the lymphatic vessels growth and supports the survival of adult lymphatic endothelial cells. Methods: Lymphatic vessels density (LVD) and LV morphometry were digitally evaluated using D2-40. The expression of VEGF C was also assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 6 normal oral mucosa and 72 cases of OSCC. The correlation between LVD and LV morphometry, VEGF C and lymph node metastasis were done. Results: A positive cytoplasmic expression of VEGF C was detected in both epithelial and connective tissue cells in 97% of OSCC while all normal tissues negatively reacted. A greater expression of VEGF C was associated with larger and more dilated LV and lymph node metastasis but not with LVD. Conclusion: VEGF C is actively involved in the invasion and metastasis of OSCC via inducing morphological changes in LV. VEGF C, being almost absent in normal tissue, may be a promising target for anticancer therapy

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