[Induction of tumors of the sympathetic nervous system in rats]

Benign (ganglioneuromas in 6 rats) and malignant (ganglioneuroblastomas--4) tumors and neuroblastomas (7) were induced in 17 animals by a single dose of 80 mg/kg ethylnitrosourea injected on days 18-19 of gestation. The animals were exposed to continuous lighting during gestation and lactation. Tumors of the sympathetic nervous system were at different stages of maturity. Since most tumors were located along the sympathetic trunk of the mediastinum and retroperitoneal cavity and because of their certain morphological features, such neoplasms may be regarded as an adequate model of similar tumors in children.