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

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, ۴۶ patients with bladder cancer referred to Imam-Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran and ۳۸ 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 ۴۷۸.۷, ۵۱۸.۴, and ۶۴۸.۱ in control, low-grade, and high-grade groups, respectively, with no significant difference (P=۰.۱۷۵). The mean urine level of VEGF was ۴۱۴.۲, ۹۶۸.۳, and ۸۴۸.۴ in control, low-grade, and high-grade groups, respectively, with significant difference (P=۰.۰۱۰). Conclusion: The mean urine level of VEGF in patients with bladder cancer is higher than healthy subjects.