On a biopsy report
Lymphovascular invasion (LVI)
Also written as LVI, LVSI, Lymphovascular space invasion, Angiolymphatic invasion, Vascular invasion
What it means
LVI means the pathologist saw tumour cells inside lymph channels or blood vessels in the tumour, but not in lymph nodes. Doctors note it because it is useful for judging the outlook.
Why it matters
Whether cancer cells are in lymph or blood vessels is useful for prognosis. Your oncologist decides if it changes your treatment.
Ask your oncologist
"Was lymphovascular invasion seen in my report, and does it change what you advise?"
From NAACCR Data Dictionary (cancer registry standard, used by NCI SEER): Lymphovascular Invasion. Not medical advice: your oncologist decides.