Increased Expression of VEGF and CD31 in Postradiation Rectal Tissue: Implications for Radiation Proctitis
Figure 3
Evaluation of immunostaining for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF vascular index) and CD31 (microvascular density) in rectal mucosa of patients with radiation proctitis due to radiotherapy for prostate cancer at three time settings. VEGF vascular index (a) was significantly increased at the completion of irradiation and remained so, at 6 months. In contrary, microvascular density (b) was unchanged at the completion of radiotherapy but increased significantly at 6 months.
