Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Oral Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the predominant malignancy of the oral cavity and remains a major health burden in South Asia, where tobacco-related exposures are highly prevalent. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and progression. Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate VEGF immunohistochemical expression, staining pattern, intensity, and proportion of VEGF-positive tumor cells in histopathologically confirmed invasive OSCC. Methods Materials: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Rajshahi Medical College, Bangladesh, from September 2018 to August 2020, involving 50 histopathologically confirmed cases of invasive OSCC. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were evaluated histologically and graded as I, II, or III. VEGF immunohistochemistry was assessed based on expression score, staining pattern, intensity, and the proportion of positive tumor cells. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: Among 50 patients with OSCC, the mean age was 52.96 ± 11.19 years, and 56.0% were female. Tobacco exposure was highly prevalent, with smoking reported by 100% of males and 92.9% of females. Buccal mucosa was the most common tumor site, 46.0%, while Grade I tumors predominated, 60.0%. VEGF expression was positive in 86.0% of cases, including strong positivity in 38.0%. Combined cytoplasmic and membranous staining predominated (69.8%), while 46.0% of tumors showed VEGF positivity in at least 25% of cells. Conclusion: OSCC predominantly affected middle-aged adults with substantial tobacco exposure, most commonly involving the buccal mucosa. VEGF expression was detected in most tumors, frequently with moderate-to-strong staining, suggesting its potential utility as an adjunctive marker of tumor angiogenesis.