Computer studies of the spatial structure and temporal growth of tumor cells

In the present paper we attempt to determine the spatial structure and the time behaviour of cell renewal systems, continuing previous studies in which tumor diseases were interpreted as unstable control loops. A computer model wa developed for the two-dimensional cell space, which is described by a set of specifications and growth statements. Selected case studies are then simulated by means of a digital computer (CYBER 76). In the development of this model special emphasis was given to (i) the existence of several cell systems with different mean life spans, growing in competition; (ii) the variability of the mean life spans of a cell and of the initial configuration of cell patterns; (iii) the description of the cell-to-cell interactions; (iv) the perturbation of normal cell growth by tumor cells and their elimination in medicine comparable with a direct irradiation or removal by surgery; (v) the consideration of the loss of tumor cells. The development of this model enables a deeper insight into the structure and function of disturbed cell renewal processes. Systematic studies were made on the influence of the size of a tumor nucleus and the mean life span of a tumor cell on the tumor growth assuming constant cell loss. Furthermore it is possible with this computer model to simulate simple basic cases which are difficult to test in real life.