Malignant tumors release growth factors such as VEGF-C to induce lymphatic vessel
expansion (lymphangiogenesis) in primary tumors and in draining sentinel LNs, thereby …

Tumor metastasis to sentinel lymph nodes represents the first step of tumor dissemination in
most human cancers and serves as a major prognostic indicator for disease progression …

The extent of lymph node (LN) metastasis is a major determinant for the staging and the
prognosis of most human malignancies and often guides therapeutic decisions. Although …

Distant organ metastasis is the most important factor in determining patient survival in
cancer. This is thought to occur via the body's own systems for transporting fluid and cells …

The major cause of cancer mortality is the metastatic spread of tumor cells that can occur via
multiple routes, including the lymphatic vasculature. Recent research has indicated that …

Nearly four centuries after the discovery of lymphatic vessels, the molecular mechanisms
underlying their development are beginning to be elucidated. Vascular endothelial growth …

Metastatic spread of cancer through the lymphatic system affects hundreds of thousands of
patients yearly. Growth of new lymphatic vessels, lymphangiogenesis, is activated in cancer …

Most cancerous lesions metastasize through the lymphatic system and the status of regional
lymph nodes is the most important indicator of a patient's prognosis. The extent of lymph …

In this article we survey more than three centuries of observation and research into tumor-
associated lymphatic vessels, and their role in the metastatic spread of cancer. This …

Highlights•Tumor lymphangiogenesis is associated with a poor prognosis in many cancer
types.•Lymphatic vessels provide a dissemination route for tumor cells.•Lymphatic vessels …