Cells are constantly subjected to various types of endogenous and exogenous stressful
stimuli, which can cause serious and even permanent damage. The ability of a cell to sense
and adapt to environmental alterations is thus vital to maintain tissue homeostasis during
development and adult life. Here, we review some of the major phenotypic characteristics of
the hostile tumour microenvironment and the emerging roles of extracellular vesicles in
these events.