Capsule Implantation: Method for Establishing Simulated Colon Carcinoma in Rats

Abstract

A simulated human colon carcinoma is produced in the colon of the rat by placing a fragment of solid Walker 256 in a 5-0 gelatin capsule and dropping it into 95% ethyl alcohol until hardened. The cecum is exposed by laparotomy, the cecal tip scarified, and the hardened capsule containing the tumor fragment invaginated into the cecal tip using a purse string suture for closure. In 14 days a well circumscribed tumor appears on the cecal tip. Histologically it demonstrates local invasion, vascular invasion, shedding of tumor cells into the peritoneal cavity and liver metastasis. Death from carcinomatosis ensues in about 3 weeks.