There have been many reports of human tumours in which tumour cells express lymphangiogenic growth factors, but it is important to note that tumour-associated inflammatory cells, such as macrophages, can also express VEGF-C and VEGF-D, and could thereby play an important role in tumour lymphangiogenesis (Schoppmann et al, 2002). The gene discussed is VEGFD; the disease is neoplasm.