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Tumor blood vessels are the new and abnormal vascular structures formed within and around malignant tumors, primarily through processes such as tumor angiogenesis and vessel co-option. Unlike normal tissue vasculature, tumor blood vessels are typically disorganized, tortuous, leaky, and structurally irregular, contributing to inefficient blood flow and a hypoxic microenvironment. Tumor vascularization is essential for tumor growth, supplying nutrients and enabling metastatic spread. The molecular regulation of tumor blood vessel formation involves diverse signaling pathways, with VEGF and its receptor being the most prominent, though other pathways and mechanisms—such as co-option of existing vessels, intussusception, and vasculogenic mimicry—can also support tumor perfusion, especially in response to anti-angiogenic therapy. The abnormal properties of these vessels, as well as the reliance of tumors on a vascular supply, make the process of tumor angiogenesis a validated therapeutic target, though the vessel structures themselves are not specific, druggable molecular targets.

Other names

Tumor vasculatureTumor vesselsCancer-associated blood vesselsNeovascularization (context-dependent)Tumor angiogenic vesselsTumor endothelium

Inhibition of VEGF-VEGFR signaling (angiogenesis blockade); Inhibition of other pro-angiogenic factors (e.g., FGF, PDGF pathways); Disruption of endothelial cell survival/proliferation