Renal capsule-parathymic lymph node complex: a new in vivo metastatic model in rats.

BACKGROUND

The ultimate cause of cancer death is, in most cases, the appearance of metastases. The aim of the present study was to contribute to animal experimental investigations of metastatic tumor development.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Rat hepatocarcinoma (He/De), mesoblastic nephroma (Ne/De) cells, and in other cases tumor-bearing lymph nodes were transplanted under the renal capsule of F344 rats. Metastatic potential of tumor cells was examined by whole body autoradiography and phosphor image analysis. The organ distribution of cells was also investigated.

RESULTS

Transplanted tumor cells resulted in metastases in the parathymic lymph nodes. Implanted India ink also demonstrated connection between the lymphatic vessels of the renal capsule and the parathymic lymph nodes. The metastatic potential was independent of the primary tumor growth rate.

CONCLUSION

The renal capsule-parathymic lymph node complex seems to be suitable for the isolated in vivo examination of metastatic development and for the detailed analysis of secondary tumors.