Scientists Reveal Possible Main Cause of Death from Cancer

Scientists from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that the main cause of death from cancer may not be metastasis, as previously believed, but rather the invasion of large blood vessels by tumors. The study was published in Nature Medicine.

The researchers analyzed data from over 100 patients with solid tumors who died in Dallas clinics, and monitored the condition of 31 terminally ill patients in hospice care. In most cases, the tumors had infiltrated major blood vessels such as the inferior vena cava, portal vein, hepatic veins, and abdominal aorta.

In the last weeks of life, there was a sharp increase in circulating tumor cells in the patients’ blood. A modified autopsy method preserved the integrity of blood vessels and revealed areas of damage. The study confirmed that tumors can cause blood clots, which disrupt circulation and lead to organ failure.

Additional confirmation came from analyzing CT scans of over 1,200 cancer patients in Germany, where many also showed signs of vascular invasion. This discovery challenges traditional views on how cancer causes death and could change clinical approaches.

According to the authors, cancer treatment should pay special attention to tumors located near major vessels. Surgery or radiation in these areas may reduce complications and improve survival rates.