The importance of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in gastric cancer

A literature search was made in the PubMed database to study articles devoted to the results of studies of the features of blood and lymphatic vascularization of gastric cancer (GC). Hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in any tumor, including GC, are absolutely necessary for growth, invasion and metastatic spread. Tumor angiogenesis is activated via hypoxia of cells, accordingly, the content of factors both induced by hypoxia and associated with vascular growth increases in the GC tissues. In addition, some leukocytes infiltrating the tumor take an active part in angiogenesis, also contributing to the development and progression of GC. Vessel growth is triggered not only in the tumor, but also in other parts of the stomach. Inhibitors of angiogenesis and lymphatic vessel growth contribute to slowing down tumor growth and suppress metastasis. Unfortunately, the state of the vascular network of adjacent organs remains unexplored, while proangiogenic factors spread through existing blood and lymphatic vessels and should affect angiogenesis, at least, in liver and regional lymph nodes.