Furthermore, positive correlations were observed between P-LVD and VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 expression in the tumor periphery (P-VEGFR-3), which meant VEGF-C and VEGF-D induced the peritumoral lymphangiogenesis via stimulating VEGFR-3 expression on LECs. The gene discussed is VEGFD; the disease is neoplasm.