Observations on induced carcinosis peritonei of the Guinea pig

A diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell suspension (line-10), injected intraperitoneally in Sewall Wright strain-2 guinea pigs, causes ascites with implantation of malignant cells on the peritoneal surface. At these sites, swelling of the mesothelial cells and simultaneous proliferation of underlying fibroblasts and capillaries are seen. When there are about four layers of malignant cells and the mesothelial lining is disrupted, papillary projections of fibroblasts with capillaries, covered by malignant cells develop. These begin to behave as a "tissue". In these areas basement membrane destruction and lymphatic and blood vessel infiltration are demonstrable. These developments have been investigated by light microscopy, histochemistry, transmission- and scanning electron microscopy.