Tumor Vascularization

The vascularization of a tumor and the onset of invasive growth with the breakthrough of the basement membrane and penetration into other tissues, blood vessels or lymphatic pathways are closely related in time. Besides growth, the blood circulation of a tumor is the most important factor in tumor spread. The growth of a tumour is often influenced by certain hormones. Certain tumour cells (e.g. breast carcinoma cells, endometrial carcinoma cells, etc.) possess so-called hormone receptors which can also influence growth. The effect of antihormonal therapies (e.g. antiestrogen therapy for breast cancer) is based on the blocking of these receptors.