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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

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In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
Published on: May 17, 2013
Angiogenesis in normal tissue adjacent to colon cancer
S H Fox1, G F Whalen, M M Sanders
1Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, USA.
Journal of Surgical Oncology
|January 9, 1999
Summary
Aggressive colon cancers may promote blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) in nearby normal tissue. This effect was most pronounced in earlier stage tumors, suggesting a potential mechanism for cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Angiogenesis, measured by microvessel density, is linked to survival in some cancers.
- Aggressive cancers may stimulate angiogenesis in adjacent normal tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if colon adenocarcinomas promote angiogenesis in adjacent normal tissue.
- To examine the relationship between microvessel density, tumor stage, and survival.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 36 colon adenocarcinoma specimens stained for factor VIII-related antigen, VEGF, and IL-8.
- Measured microvessel density in tumors and adjacent normal tissue.
- Used multivariate analysis and Student t-test for clinical/pathological variables.
Main Results:
- Microvessel density was significantly higher in tumors (26.0) than normal tissue (22.3) (P=0.03).
- Smaller tumors (T1/T2) showed significantly higher angiogenesis in tumors (18.9) vs. normal tissue (10.6) (P=0.02).
- Larger tumors (T3/T4) had similar angiogenesis in tumors (26.9) and normal tissue (24.2) (P=0.12). VEGF was ubiquitous; IL-8 was present in 45%.
Conclusions:
- Colon cancers invading through the muscularis propria may induce angiogenesis in adjacent normal tissue.
- Early-stage colon cancers demonstrate a greater ability to promote angiogenesis in surrounding normal tissue.
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