Definition: The formation of new blood vessels. Normal angiogenesis occurs during fetal development to create the baby's circulatory system, and in the uterus during the menstrual cycle, as well as occurs around a wound or cut to help with healing. Tumor angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels that grow into the tumor, giving it nutrients and oxygen to assist its growth.
Pronunciation: AN-gee-oh-JEN-uh-sis
Common Misspellings: angiogenisis
Examples: Tumor growth stops if tumor angiogenesis can be stopped, thus starving the cancer of nutrients and oxygen. If tumor angiogenesis proceeds, the tumor grows and may shed cells that will cause metastasis. Avastin (bevacizumab) is an anti-angiogenesis drug used to treat metastatic breast cancer.
