Table 1.

Heterogeneity of tumor lymphangiogenesis

Features	Descriptions	References
Gene	Tumor LEC show different gene expression profiles vs normal LEC	30
	LEC/BEC markers are heterogeneously expressed in different parts of LV	31, 32, 33
	Highly metastatic tumors show different gene expression profiles vs non‐metastatic tumors	30, 33, 34
Structure	Peritumoral LV are dilated with large open lumina, while intratumor are small, flattened, compressed and collapsed	10
	Collecting LV display variable alteration, such as lymphangiogenesis and enlargement of diameter	29, 34, 37
	LV density is variable among different tumors and even in the same tumor	10, 35
Cellular origins	Pre‐existing LEC	4, 35, 40
	LEPC	41, 42
Roles in regulating tumor metastasis	Tumor LV density positively correlates with metastasis and survival	2, 3, 43, 49, 62, 63
	Tumor cells utilize peritumoral LV to spread rather than intratumoral LV	2, 10, 45, 46, 47
Roles in regulating tumor immunity	Lymphangiogenesis promote tumor development by immune suppression	61, 66, 67, 68
	Lymphangiogenesis prevent tumor progression by immune surveillance	43, 60, 69, 70, 71