Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor in vaginal squamous cell cancer

OBJECTIVE: Primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina is a rare neoplasm. Investigations concerning the potential of new therapeutic targets are limited. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 34 patients with primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina was identified, who were treated at our institution between 1994 and 2008. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. RESULTS: EGFR was expressed in 33 of 34 (97.1%) and VEGF was expressed in 12 of 34 cases (35.3%). There was no statistically significant relationship between clinicopathologic parameters (clinical stage, grading, tumor size), patient survival, and EGFR and VEGF expression. CONCLUSION: VEGF was moderate and EGFR was frequently expressed in invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina. In our sample size, immunohistochemical staining was not statistically significantly associated with prognosis.