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Incisional biopsy and seeding in hamster cheek pouch carcinoma
Abstract:
Surgical blades were contaminated by doing incisional biopsies on DMBA-induced cheek pouch carcinomas in hamsters. Contaminated blades were then used to: (1) make cytologic smears; (2) make incisions in the mucosal surface of the lower lip; (3) make incisions in the ventral surface of the tongue; (4) make incisions in the untreated left cheek pouch; and (5) make incisions in the pre-shaved back. One group of animals was killed three hr post-surgery. The second group was killed seven wk post-surgery. Tissues were excised and processed for microscopic study. Malignant cells were found in many of the incision sites of animals from the first group. In the animals of the second group, several tumors growing from the transplanted tumor cells were observed in the incision sites of the lower lips and the tongue. None was observed in the incision sites of the left cheek pouch or the back. Cervical lymph node metastases were found in approximately 50% of the animals of the second group.
Insights
Surgical blades contaminated with cancer cells can transplant tumors to new sites. Tumors formed in hamster lips and tongues, but not in cheek pouches or backs, with metastasis to lymph nodes observed.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Carcinogenesis
Background:
- Dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) is a potent carcinogen used to induce oral tumors in animal models.
- Surgical procedures can potentially spread malignant cells, leading to tumor recurrence or metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for surgical blades contaminated with cancer cells to induce secondary tumors at incision sites.
- To evaluate the influence of anatomical location on tumor cell transplantation and growth.
Main Methods:
- Surgical blades were contaminated with DMBA-induced cheek pouch carcinomas in hamsters.
- Contaminated blades were used to create incisions in various anatomical locations (lip, tongue, cheek pouch, back) and for cytologic smears.
- Animals were analyzed at acute (3 hours) and chronic (7 weeks) post-surgery time points for tumor formation and metastasis.
Main Results:
- Malignant cells were detected at incision sites within 3 hours post-surgery.
- Tumors developed in incision sites of the lower lip and tongue by 7 weeks post-surgery.
- No tumors formed in the untreated cheek pouch or back incisions, but cervical lymph node metastases occurred in ~50% of animals.
Conclusions:
- Surgical instruments contaminated with tumor cells can act as vectors for tumor cell transplantation.
- The anatomical site of incision influences the success of tumor cell implantation and subsequent growth.
- Metastasis to regional lymph nodes is a significant risk following iatrogenic tumor cell spread.