A 34-year-old woman comes to the office due to vague abdominal pain over the past several months. She has no significant past medical history. The patient does not use tobacco or alcohol. Temperature is 36.7 C (98.1 F). On physical examination, right upper quadrant fullness is present. Abdominal imaging reveals a dense liver mass. Angiography shows a well-demarcated, highly vascularized tumor surrounded by normal liver parenchyma. Which of the following substances most likely contributed the most to blood vessel development in this patient's tumor?

Question

A 34-year-old woman comes to the office due to vague abdominal pain over the past several months.  She has no significant past medical history.  The patient does not use tobacco or alcohol.  Temperature is 36.7 C (98.1 F).  On physical examination, right upper quadrant fullness is present.  Abdominal imaging reveals a dense liver mass.  Angiography shows a well-demarcated, highly vascularized tumor surrounded by normal liver parenchyma. Which of the following substances most likely contributed the most to blood vessel development in this patient's tumor?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor are two key growth factors that promote angiogenesis in neoplastic and granulation tissue. Proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1, interferon-) can promote angiogenesis indirectly by increasing VEGF expression. Basement membrane laminin may act as a physical barrier to the formation of new blood vessels.

A 34-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office Due to Vague