Pathology of the Host-Tumor Interaction

Abstract

Peritumoral tissue changes are related to various factors: edema, anoxia due either to edema or compressive action of the tumor, the release of substances from, the destruction of tumor cells, etc. The most important change is glial reaction. This is a progressive or progressive-regressive process, the intensity of which varies in relation to a large number of events. The main aspect is the appearance of reactive astrocytes, either with much cytoplasm and short processes (Fig.5.la) or with thick and long processes (Fig.5.lb). They are found in the peripheral parts of the tumor, in the immediate peritumoral area, or even at a distance. The first is typical of invasive tumors, whereas the latter two are typical of sharply delimited tumors.