Radiation-induced osteosarcoma in the rat as a model for osteosarcoma in man

A technique is described for the local induction of osteosarcoma in the rat by implanting (32)P-impregnated polyvinyl chloride discs into the distal femoral metaphysis. The incidence of osteosarcomata after 18 months was 28%. A comparison is made of the pathology of the radiation-induced osteosarcoma in the rat and the "spontaneous" osteosarcoma in man. The possible value of the rat osteosarcoma model is discussed.