The prognostic significance of microvascular density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were investigated in 15 patients with adenocarcinoma (AC) and 15 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Immunohistochemically, VEGF and factor VIII were applied. The average microvessel counts were given as MVD, and VEGF expression was given as VEGF percentage area and VEGF staining degree. Higher values of MVD were obtained in patients with AC (11.47 +/- 3.48) when compared with patients with SCC (7.47 +/- 2.50; P = .001) and also in patients at early stages of disease (10.77 +/- 3.24) when compared with patients at advanced stages (8.47 +/- 3.64; P = .050). A significant correlation was shown between MVD and VEGF percentage area (P = .006) and between VEGF percentage area and VEGF staining degree (P = .000). No significant difference was found in VEGF percentage area between patients with SCC and AC and between patients at early and advanced stages. In conclusion, VEGF or MVD should not be regarded as a solitary prognostic factor but should be supported by other prognostic factors.