Objective:To investigate the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C) proteins and biological behavior of breast cancer.Methods:Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of VEGF-C proteins in 12 cases of mammary fibroma

35 cases of mammary cystic hyperplasia

45 cases of breast cancer.Results:VEGF-C protein was absent in mammary fibroma

the expression rate of VEGF-C protein in mammary cystic hyperplasia was 20.0%(7/35)

The expression rate of VEGF-C in breast cancer was 71.1%(32/45)

and it was significantly different compared with mammary cystic hyperplasia(P<0.05).The expression of VEGF-C in Ⅲ and Ⅳ phase of breast cancer were significantly higher than that in Ⅰand Ⅱ phase

so was the axillary lymph node metastasis rate(P<0.05).However

it was not correlated with the age of patient

tumor size

the expression of ER and PR.Conclusions:VEGF-C may take part in occurrence and progression of breast cancer.Over-expression of VEGF-C is related to high possibility of lymphatic metastasis.