title: Pathogenesis of lymphangiomas.
abstract: Based on various hypotheses concerning lymphangiogenesis published in the literature, different putative mechanisms of lymphangioma development are discussed including failure of the lymphatic system to connect with or separate from the venous system, abnormal budding of the lymphatic system from the cardinal vein, or acquired processes such as traumata, infections, chronic inflammations, and obstructions. Increasingly, the possible influence of lymphangiogenic growth factors on the development of lymphangiomas is discussed. The proved expression of different growth factors in the endothelium of lymphangiomas leads to new hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of lymphangiomas. Thus, further studies on the lymphangiogenesis and the development of lymphangiomas will have to clarify as to whether lymphangiomas are true malformations or neoplastic in nature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps-University of Marburg, Deutschhausstr. 3, Marburg, Germany. swiegand@med.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiegand
authors.forename: Behfar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eivazi
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: Dirk Berens
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: von Rautenfeld
authors.forename: Benedikt J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Folz
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mandic
authors.forename: Jochen A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D004729:Endothelium, Lymphatic / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins