[3 experimental models applied to the study of urothelial tumors of the bladder]

Three important models can be used in experimental carcinogenesis: Clonogenic assays which can be used to study tumor cells in vitro. This method is particularly useful in order to investigate biochemical markers and chromosomal spreads. Chemically-induced bladder tumors in various animals are used to analyse the mechanisms of induction and development of these cancers. The athymic mice have provided, over the last twenty years, an immunological system suitable for the heterotransplantation of human tumor tissues. These three experimental models, which are complementary, are reviewed and discussed.