Once tumours are established they are described as clusters of closely packed cells that are arranged along fibrous connective tissue and blood vessels.23 The original transformed cell remains obscure but a histiocytic origin has been suggested as the cells are positive for lysozyme and vimentin.31,32 CTVT cells can become infected with leishmania parasites,33 and a recent study of the transcriptome of CTVT cells demonstrated expression of genes associated with antigen presentation during the regressing stage of the tumour.34 Here, VIM is linked to neoplasm.