FGF2 and neoplasm: During tumor progression, cancer cells and cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) produce lymphangiogenic factors—such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB—that attract lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) to infiltrate the tumor tissues, resulting in the formation of new lymphatic vessels within and around the tumor.