Cancer tumors can need a blood supply just like we do. This is because cancer cells need oxygen and nutrients to survive in your body, which can only be supplied through your blood. When your tumors grow, they can create new blood vessels to support their growth. This is why blocking this blood supply can be necessary to stop the growth of these cancer tumors.
How do tumors create new blood vessels?
Tumors can create new blood vessels around them through angiogenesis. For this, these cancer cells can send signals around your body to create new blood vessels. Cancer cells usually do this to receive more oxygen and nutrients. Also, there is a protein process called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), which can carry the growth message to other cancer cells in your body to create new blood cells.
Can blocking blood vessels slow cancer growth?
Your blood vessels are the ones that can keep tumors alive by giving them oxygen. But your tumors can still be controlled if their blood supply is stopped. That’s why doctors may try to block the blood supply to your tumors to keep your cancer under control.
What exactly is anti-angiogenesis?
Anti-angiogenesis is like a targeted cancer therapy. Doctors can use this to block the new blood vessels around the cancer tumors. These medicines can interfere with VEGF signals and limit the oxygen and nutrient supply to your cancer tumors. This can make it easy for doctors to control your tumor while they carry on their other therapies. Doctors may make use of anti-angiogenesis to treat your kidney, colorectal, or even brain cancers.
Limitations and challenges
Anti-angiogenesis can slow down your tumor’s growth, but its effect can be different for different tumors. Also, there are certain constraints that you should be aware of. Some tumors can respond well in the beginning but can show very limited progress later. This is not because your treatment has stopped responding, but cancer cells can sometimes develop resistance to treatment. You may also experience side effects such as high blood pressure or delayed wound healing. So, in case you experience any of these side effects that keep getting worse, then it’s better to contact your doctor immediately.
A treatment offering hope
Every treatment behaves differently and may not work the same for you as it did for others. But therapies like anti-angiogenesis can slow down your tumor and support your other treatments. This way, your treatment can stay in balance, giving you hope for a new life.