[Lymphography and the possibility of tumor cell dissemination]

It is concluded that endolymphatic infusion of X-ray contrast substance in the presence of migrating tumor cells in lymphatic routes is inherent in a potential danger of tumor dissemination. Although getting of tumor cells in blood does not always result in metastases, nevertheless, a due account should be taken of the fact that lymphography is frequently performed in poor immunological resistance patients, preliminarily subjected to chemo- and radiotherapy. The decrease of immune resistance of the organism, in which the lymphatic system is of primary importance, is known to contribute per se to generalization of the tumor process. Another important conclusion is that the principal mass of tumor cells is ejected in the immediate period after endolymphatic injection of X-ray contrast substance. Thus, the cannulation of the thoracic duct during this period may prevent or reduce getting of massive amounts of tumor cells into the total blood flow.