What does lymphovascular invasion mean?
Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) means that cancer cells were seen inside a blood vessel or lymphatic vessel. Blood vessels are long thin tubes that carry blood around the body. Lymphatic vessels are similar to small blood vessels except that they carry a fluid called lymph instead of blood. The lymphatic vessels connect with small immune organs called lymph nodes that are found throughout the body.
Why is lymphovascular invasion important?
LVI is important because cancer cells can use blood vessels or lymphatic vessels to spread to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes or the lungs. This process is called metastasis.
What does positive for lymphovascular invasion mean?
‘Positive for lymphovascular invasion’ means that cancer cells were seen in a blood or lymphatic vessel when the tissue was examined under the microscope.
What does negative for lymphovascular invasion mean?
‘Negative for lymphovascular invasion’ means that cancer cells were not seen in a blood or lymphatic vessel when the tissue was examined under the microscope.