Bladder cancer is frequently associated with regional
lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis or after initial treatment, and
lymph node metastasis is crucial for clinical therapeutic strategies. Lymphangiogenesis, detected by
antibodies specific for lymphatic endothelial cells, is correlated with
cancer spread, but the mechanisms that underlie lymphatic spread and the role of lymphangiogenesis in
cancer metastasis has been less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF)-D expression, intratumoral lymphatics, and lymphatic invasion associated with
lymph node metastasis as well as the prognostic analysis in patients with bladder
transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The
VEGF-D expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 72 specimens, and tumoral lymphatic vessels were measured by D2-40. Counts of lymph vessels were taken in intratumoral and peritumoral areas. Survival analyses and their independent roles were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis models. The high expression of
VEGF-D was closely associated with the intratumoral lymphatic vessels, tumoral lymphatic invasion, and
lymph node metastasis as well as a shorter overall survival. Higher lymphatic vessel density, intratumoral lymphatics, and lymphatic invasion showed a significant association with
lymph node metastasis. Univariate analysis indicated that
VEGF-D, intratumoral lymphatics, and lymphatic invasion were associated with overall survival, but they were not independent prognostic factors for bladder TCC in multivariate analysis. We conclude that
VEGF-D plays an essential role in tumoral lymphangiogenesis. Intratumoral lymphatics and lymphatic invasion are important predictive factors of pelvic
lymph node metastasis in patients with
bladder cancer.