Research progress on mechanisms of hepatic portal vein tumor thrombus formation

Abstract

Hepatic portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is the common complication of late liver cancer and the main route of intrahepatic metastasis, which is defined as liver cancer cells invade the hepatic portal system under different factors and proliferate in portal vein to form a carcinoma embolus. The formation of PVTT not only leads to insufficient blood supply in the portal vein and decreased liver function, but also courses many symptoms such as portal hypertension, peritoneal effusion, and gastrointestinal bleeding. In recent years, domestic and foreign scholars have actively explored mechanisms of PVTT formation and have achieved great progress. In this paper, the research status and progress of PVTT formation mechanisms are reviewed from the aspects of hemodynamics, molecular biology and liver cancer microenvironment. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Portal vein tumor thrombus; Formation mechanism; Research progress