In addition to other criteria, the growth pattern, macroscopic form, and histologic examination of a
tumor are heavily influenced by the
tumor's blood supply. Rapid size increases of
basal cell carcinomas in certain of our patients has led us to examine the capillary network of such
tumors. Known histologic patterns were summarized, and the
tumor vascular patterns evaluated by scanning electron microscopy of corrosion preparations. For this, an artery leading to the
tumor was cannulated, and a thin
synthetic resin ("
Mercox" liquid) injected. After precipitation, the preparation was macerated in aqueous
sodium hydroxide. The vascular changes encountered could thus be illustrated in three-dimensional form. In addition to changes specific in the
tumors (i.e., caliber fluctuations,
cyst formation at vessel ends, and degeneration forms), peculiar formations could be found in various sites, suggesting that capillary neogenesis was taking place within the
tumors.