The interplay between stress and growth in solid tumors

A number of biological phenomena are interlaced with classical mechanics. In this review we discuss the role of mechanics in tumor growth, namely the avascular phase of solid tumors. While a growing mass produces a traction of the surrounding tissues, a feedback mechanism controls the proliferation of the malignant cells depending on the tensional state. The formalism of continuum mechanics, possibly accompanied by numerical simulations, is able to shed light on biological controversial subjects. The converse is also true: non-standard mechanical problems suggest new challenging theoretical questions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.