Angiogenesis of cervical neoplasia.

Recent studies concerning the role of an angiogenic factor in cancer have produced a renewed interest in vascular studies of the cervix. Colposcopic and histochemical vascular studies demonstrate changes in the vascular pattern of cervical neoplasia which progress from early dysplasia to carcinoma in situ. There is a restructuring of the terminal vascular network of the pre-existing columnar epithelium in noninvasive cervical neoplasia which is caused by compression of the capillaries by the epithelial proliferation. In contrast, neovascularization is observed in those cases of carcinoma in situ which will progress to invasive cancer. The position is taken that this process of neovascularization, which is recognized by the development of horizontal vessels, may be the direct effect of an angiogenic factor. Evidence is also presented that the initial vascular changes may precede the histopathologic criteria of cervical neoplasia.