Avascular and vascular phases in tumor cords growth

A general feature of cancer growth is the cellular competition for available nutrients. This is also the case for tumor cords, neoplasms forming cylindrical structures around blood vessels. Experimental data show that, in their avascular phase, cords grow up to a limit radius, rapidly reaching a quasi-steady state. At this stage, a transition towards a vascular phase (i.e., the formation of a new vascular system feeding the tumor) occurs and the growth becomes uncontrolled. Here we use a set of rules to formulate a model that describes how the dynamics of cord growth is controlled by this transition. The model takes into account mechanical effects resulting from the interaction between the multiplying cancer cells and the surrounding tissue. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.