Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is a protein that is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor / vascular endothelial growth factor (PDGF/VEGF) family. It is encoded in humans by the VEGFC gene, which is located on chromosome 4q34. The main function of VEGF-C is in lymphangiogenesis, where it acts on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) primarily via its receptor VEGFR-3 promoting survival, growth and migration.

VEGF-C is a dimeric, secreted protein, which undergoes a complex proteolytic maturation resulting in multiple processed forms. In a minority of lymphedema patients, the condition is caused by mutations in the VEGFC gene[16] and VEGF-C is a potential treatment for lymphedema. Also indirectly VEGF-C can be responsible for hereditary lymphedema: The rare Hennekam syndrome can result from the inability of the mutated CCBE1 to assist the ADAMTS3 protease in activating VEGF-C. Too much VEGF-C is implicated in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. VEGF-C can act directly on blood vessels to promote tumor angiogenesis.