The Dissemination of Subcutaneously Inoculated Tumor Cell Suspensions

Abstract

Tumor transplantation by the subcutaneous inoculation of cell suspensions or implants is one of the oldest and most extensively employed techniques in experimental cancer research. Little information, however, is available relative to the time and extent of dissemination of such cells from their transplantation site, and even less has been reported regarding the influence of local factors upon this process. Such knowledge would seem fundamental for the proper interpretation of results obtained from investigations concerning tumor growth at the point of inoculation and the occurrence of distant metastases. The present study was conducted for the following reasons: (1) to provide quantitative information relative to the egress of labeled tumor cells from their injection site; (2) to compare the rapidity of tumor cell dissemination and development of lung metastases following inoculation of cell suspension with that occurring after insertion of tumor plugs; (3) to evaluate the effect of physical factors such