VEGFC and neoplasm: VEGFC induces sprouting of nearby lymphatic capillaries, intravasation of tumor cells into the neo-formed vessels, thus contributing to lymph node metastasis or even more distant tumor spreading8–10; (ii) tumor cells colonize lymph nodes as pre-metastatic lymphovascular niches11; (iii) tumor cells eventually saturate lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, collateral lymphatic vessels with alternative lymph nodes then bypass the sentinel lymph node and participate in tumor distant metastasis11,12.