The serum levels of VEGF were significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis compared with those without lymph node metastasis [94 pg/ml (range, 50–170 pg/ml) vs. 58 pg/ml (range, 20.75–101.5 pg/ml), respectively; P<0.0001] (Fig. 3C). Here, VEGFA is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.