Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis for Radiologists—Part 1: Biological and Technical Basis

• Published in: Current problems in diagnostic radiology Vol. 44; no. 5; pp. 407 - 424
• Main Authors: García-Figueiras, Roberto, MD, PhD, Padhani, Anwar R., MBBS, FRCP, FRCR, Beer, Ambros J., MD, PhD, Baleato-González, Sandra, MD, PhD, Vilanova, Joan C., MD, PhD, Luna, Antonio, MD, Oleaga, Laura, MD, PhD, Gómez-Caamaño, Antonio, MD, Koh, Dow-Mu, MD, MRCP, FRCR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-09-2015
• Subjects: Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Humans; Internal Medicine; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Molecular Imaging; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Neoplasms - physiopathology; Neovascularization, Pathologic - diagnosis; Neovascularization, Pathologic - diagnostic imaging; Photoacoustic Techniques; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0363-0188; 1535-6302
• DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2015.02.010

Angiogenesis is a key cancer hallmark involved in tumor growth and metastasis development. Tumor angiogenesis is the process whereby new blood vessels are formed to supply nutrients and oxygen to support the growth of tumors. This article reviews the biological basis behind imaging features and the different imaging modalities used to assess the status of tumor neovasculature in vivo at different scales: structural, functional, and molecular.