The Lymphatic System in Mammary Gland Biology and Breast Cancer

Excerpt

The proper functioning of an organism and any organ within it requires the concerted and harmonic cooperation of all its diverse components. One of these essential parts is the lymphatic vasculature, which has for the longest time lingered in the shadow of its more visible counterpart – the blood vasculature. However, recent substantial developments and improvements in molecular approaches and imaging tools are beginning to shed light onto the details of anatomy and functions of the lymphatic system in health and disease, especially cancer [1]. Tumor development and progression are intricately connected with the functions of the lymphatics as is their contribution to patient treatment and recovery [2]. …