Placenta and tumors rely on glycolysis for energy production; the DNA of the placenta demonstrates the genome-wide hypomethylation; some cancer/testis antigens are expressed in the placenta; placental trophoblast is capable to create large ploidies; tumor markers present in the serum of cancer patients include placental proteins; placenta produces angiogenic factors secreted also by tumors (e.g. VEGF), and placenta causes maternal immunosuppression. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and cancer.