Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0598934 (tumor growth)
 58,965 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Lymphangiosarcoma is a fatal complication of postmastectomy lymphedema. The pathogenesis of lymphangiosarcoma in chronic lymphedema is a combination of two factors. First, the edematous region responds in a manner similar to "immunologically privileged sites." Second, because of its anatomic and physiologic properties, it is a favorable site for the development of mutant cell populations for reasons that are not fully understood. As a result, these mutant cells, with their genetically nonidentical antigens, escape recognition by the host's impaired immune surveillance mechanism. The failure to promote a sufficient immune response allows unrestricted tumor growth to take place, resulting in the ultimate death of the patient. Available therapeutic measures are equally unsatisfactory. Emphasis is placed on periodic examination of the lymphedematous extremity, aggressive treatment of established lymphedema and infections, and surgical preservation of lymphatic channels during breast cancer surgery.
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PMID:Stewart-Treves syndrome. A lethal complication of postmastectomy lymphedema and regional immune deficiency. 75 83

A small primary lung lesion had remained unchanged in size over a period of 8 years. Within the ensuing 2 years rapid tumor growth occurred. On operation the surgical specimen revealed a tumor mass of 87.2 cm3. Within 6 months after resection, the tumor occurred on the same side. Extensive tumor infiltration of the chest wall prevented any further surgery. The histo-morphologic picture of both lesions was consistent with a lymphangiosarcoma without evidence of high grade malignancy. The patient died of cardio-respiratory insufficiency due to extension of the tumor mass. Unfortunately no autopsy was performed. Tumor growth rates, macroscopic reconstruction and electron microscopic evaluations are presented. This case report again points out that size and long-time stability of solitary lung nodules are not necessarily reliable criteria for assessing prognosis.
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PMID:Long-term development of a primary lung sarcoma, probably lymphangiosarcoma--a case report. 620 99

The lymphatic vasculature plays a pivotal role in maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis, immune surveillance, and lipid uptake in the gastrointestinal organs. Therefore, impaired function of the lymphatic vessels caused by genetic defects, infection, trauma, or surgery leads to the abnormal accrual of lymph fluid in the tissue and culminates in the swelling of affected tissues, known as lymphedema. Lymphedema causes impaired wound healing, compromised immune defense, and, in rare case, lymphangiosarcoma. Although millions of people suffer from lymphedema worldwide, no effective therapy is currently available. In addition, recent advances in cancer biology have disclosed an indispensable function of the lymphatic vessel in tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, understanding the detailed mechanisms governing lymphatic vessel formation and function in pathophysiologic conditions is essential to prevent or treat these diseases. We review the developmental processes of the lymphatic vessels and postnatal lymphatic neovascularization, focusing on the role of recently identified bone marrow-derived podoplanin-expressing (podoplanin(+)) cells as lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells.
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PMID:Role of bone marrow-derived lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells for lymphatic neovascularization. 2273 48