What Histological Changes Occur During Intravasation?
Under the microscope, several histological changes can be observed during lymphatic intravasation. The lymphatic endothelial cells may show signs of increased permeability, allowing cancer cells to pass through. This is often accompanied by the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) around the lymphatic vessels, facilitated by enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Additionally, one might observe clusters of cancer cells within the lumen of the lymphatic vessels, sometimes forming emboli.
