Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that death from cancer may result not primarily from metastasis, but from the invasion of tumors into large blood vessels. The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine.
The authors analyzed health data from more than 100 patients with solid tumors who had died at clinics in Dallas. They also monitored the condition of 31 critically ill patients receiving hospice care.
The scientists found that, in most of the study participants, cancerous tumors had invaded major blood vessels such as the inferior vena cava, portal vein, hepatic veins, and abdominal aorta. Moreover, during the final weeks of life, a sharp increase in circulating tumor cells was detected in the patients’ blood.
Unlike a conventional autopsy, the modified methodology used by the scientists allowed them to preserve the integrity of blood vessels and identify areas of damage. The findings confirmed that tumors can promote the formation of blood clots, which disrupt circulation and lead to the failure of vital organs.
The researchers obtained further confirmation by examining CT (computed tomography) scans from more than 1,200 cancer patients in Germany. A significant proportion of these patients also showed signs of vascular infiltration. This discovery challenges the existing understanding of the mechanisms underlying cancer-related death and may transform clinical approaches to treatment.
According to the authors, special attention should be given during cancer treatment to tumors located near large blood vessels, as surgical or radiation intervention targeting these areas could potentially reduce the risk of complications and improve survival outcomes.
