Final answer:
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels that support tumor growth, which is particularly important in cancer as it allows tumors to receive nutrients and promote metastasis to distant organs. The process is targeted by anti-cancer treatments using angiogenesis inhibitors.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Angiogenesis?
Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels. This process is critical in the context of cancer as it allows tumors to grow and sustain themselves with nutrients and oxygen. When it comes to mechanisms for cancer, angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels to support tumor growth, which corresponds to option B in the provided choices. Tumors can exploit this process to improve their blood supply, which provides them with the necessary resources to grow larger and survive. This process can also facilitate the spread—or metastasis—of cancer cells to distant organs by providing a pathway for cancer cells to enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, forming new tumors known as metastases.
In the treatment of cancer, understanding and targeting angiogenesis is crucial. Drugs known as angiogenesis inhibitors are employed to disrupt this process, aiming to 'starve' the tumor by cutting off its blood supply, impeding both growth and spread. These treatments are a key component of anti-cancer strategies targeting metastatic cancers, which are notoriously difficult to treat and are often associated with poorer prognoses.