Biophysical evaluation of the tumorigenic response to implanted polymers

An evaluation of the biophysical changes of methylcholanthrene induced tumor (M4) in laboratory animals receiving four different alloplastic implants was conducted. The implants are silicone, polyether urethane, poly(methyl methacrylate), and bioglass. The tumor was allowed to grow to a large size in 28 days and then removed by shelling it from the surrounding tissue. Three different analytic volumetric measurements were carried; size in cm3, volume in milliliters and weight in grams. Statistical analysis on the three different analytic measurements did not disclose any significant differences in tumor growth potential between the control and the experimental groups. We conclude that in this study we were unable to demonstrate any tumor "facilitation" effect by any of the implantable polymers used. Therefore, there is no contraindication in using the polymers to reconstruct defects produced by cancer ablative procedures.