Neoplastic invasion of the arterial wall and its modification by surgery: an experimental model

Fragments of VX2 squamous carcinoma were transplanted into the femoral triangles of rabbits and the growth patterns of tumour invasion were compared in intact femoral arteries, ligated femoral arteries and in femoral arteriovenous (AV) anastomoses. Intact arteries were resistant to tumour; ligated arteries were invaded by tumour and, in most instances, destroyed; AV anastomoses were also invaded but some mural structures remained intact. The relative resistance of systemic arteries to neoplastic invasion appears to be due to a combination of the normal structure of the arterial wall and the normal dynamics of the arterial circulation. Infiltration is facilitated if arterial perfusion falls and/or the normal structure of the arterial wall is modified.