[Stroma formation in epithelial malignant tumors]

The mechanism of stroma-formation and rearrangement of the stroma was studied on 221 cases of cancer of the lung, stomach and mammary gland using histological, histochemical and electron-microscopy methods of investigation. It was established that multiplying epithelial elements of teh tumour induced proliferation of histiogenic and vascular fibroblasts, activating them. Active fibroblasts play a double role: they either produce fibres and interstitial matter of the tumorous stroma, or participate in desintegration of preceding and newly formed collagenous structures. The processes of stroma-formation comply with the conventional schemes of normal fibrillogenesis and rearrangement of the interstitial tissue. It was shown that fibroblasts of the tumour stroma was capable of phagocytosis of a mature collagen. It is supposed that in the course of the tumorous growth correlation between the parenchyma and stroma is maintained, the leading role being played by the epithelium.