VEGFC and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: 41 also confirmed this viewpoint in HNSCC (41). LCN1 (lipocalin-1), known as tear lipocalin, is mainly expressed in secretory glands and tissues (42). It has been reported that LCN1 overexpression is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in breast cancer (43). However, few studies have investigated its expression level in other malignant tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC), an activator of lymphangiogenesis, plays an important role in promoting lymph node metastasis and tumor progression (44).