Growth characteristics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in nude mice

Growth behaviour of human squamous cell carcinoma from the head and neck region was studied in nude mice. Tumour growth was observed in 10 out of 13 tumours transplanted with a primary take rate of 77 and 100% for serial passaging. The take rate percentage related to the number of tumour inocula used, varied from 10 to 90% in the first passage and from 70 to 100% in the subsequent passages. No significant difference could be established in the growth character, except from the first to the second passage. Histological studies demonstrated preservation of the original histopathological features, micro- and macroinvasion of two tumour lines into the fibrous capsule and cyst formation. Comparison of growth curves with histological features demonstrated that growth curves are not a reliable measure for the number of vital tumour cells present.