[Morphological studies on human uterine cancer cells in vitro (author's transl)]

In the present study, we investigated the possibility of primary cultured tumor cells to be used for tumor models of cancer research. Biopsies were obtained from 46 patients with a diagnosis of uterine cancer, 15 specimens were obtained from normal epithelium to serve as controls. All of the cultured cells were left for 7 days-21 days and observed under light or electron microscopes. Lag periods and capacity of development in benign and malignant cultures were similar. In cultures of malignant cells, overlapping of the cell borders were observed at various areas. Enlargements of the nucleus, the cytoplasm and the nucleolus were proved in comparing malignant cells in culture with there in vivo counterparts. In most cultures of well differentiated types of tumor, ultrastructural or cellular evidence of differentiation were retained. Tonofibrils were more numerous in the keratinizing type of squamous cell carcinoma in vitro. Glandular structures were observed in well differentiated adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. No correlation was present between the growth pattern and histological types of cervical squamous carcinoma. Lack of cell cohesion was present in cultured adenocarcinoma cells.