Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered to be probably the most important and final mediator of neovascularisation. We have shown that VEGF can predict stage in colorectal cancer (Clin Cancer Res 1998, 17). This study was conducted to study the kinetics of serum VEGF after colorectal resections over ten postoperative days.
Patients and methods: The study comprised 154 healthy controls and 108 colorectal resections (79 curative, 15 palliative and 14 benign). Samples were collected at 4-6 hours, days 1,3,5,7 and 10 post surgery.
Results: Six-hour levels were significantly lower in the curative group (p < 0.0005) but not in the benign and palliative groups (p = 0.27 and 0.3, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity at 20% cut-off fall in VEGF gives 83.5% sensitivity with 80% specificity in predicting curative resection.
Conclusion: Early postoperative serum VEGF levels show significant fall and may help to identify the oncological status of colorectal cancer resections.