The microvasculature of the stroma of four
cases of small early gastric cancer (EGC) was
investigated by conventional electron microscopy.
Severe damage to small and large fenestrated capillaries
was observed around endothelium-adherent, partially
degranulated neutrophils. The findings suggest the
existence of neutrophil-mediated injury of endothelial
cells during the development of inflammatory responses
in small EGC. The severely injured microvessels
exhibited increase in vasopermeability, microhaemorrhage,
and platelet aggregates. Other microvascular
changes included endothelial cell and pericyte
activation as well as basal lamina replications, indicative
of repeated episodes of endothelial injury, necrosis and
regeneration. This new capillary growth within the old
basal laminas shared morphological features with a
peculiar angiogenic process described in man and
animals