[Growth rate of experimental colonic cancer in rats]

Colonic cancers were induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine. Tumor growth patterns were estimated by means of a double contrast barium enema technique. Tumor growth was almost exponential and the average doubling time was 20 +/- 5 (m +/- S.D.) days, at which time three different types of tumor growth patterns: Constant type, decreasing type and reaccelerating type, were noted. Serial double contrast barium enema technique appeared to be an useful method of studying in vivo primary colonic cancer growth patterns in rats.