[Parenchymatous-stromal interrelations in tumors and methods for their study]

The major components of tumor stroma and parenchyma are described and their reciprocal influences are demonstrated. A scheme of parenchyma-stroma relationships is proposed. Knowledge of how the stromal and parenchymal components of a tumor relate to one another is of considerable diagnostic and prognostic value, for it leads to a better understanding of the nature of tumor growth and of the tumor-host relationships.