Chapter 1 - Sprouting and nonsprouting angiogenesis in tumors

Abstract

The current wisdom is that tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis are angiogenesis dependent. This chapter summarizes the literature data that indicate that some tumors may be vascularized without significant angiogenesis, through intussusceptive microvascular growth, an alternative or additional mechanism of capillary growth whereby the vascular network expands by insertion of newly formed columns of interstitial tissue structures into the vascular lumen called tissue pillars or posts. Glomeruloid vascular proliferation represents another alternative mode of tumor vascular growth. Finally, potential therapeutic implications are also discussed.