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The Cheek Pouch of the Hamster as a Site for the Transplantation of a Methylcholanthrene-induced Sarcoma^*

(From the Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston 15, Mass.)

The cheek pouch of the hamster has been used as a site for the transplantation of a new methylcholanthrene-induced malignant sarcoma. The advantages of this site are (a) the tumor grows freely without physical hindrance; (b) the same tumor can be observed frequently at successive stages (measured, photographed); (c) the tumor may be subjected to various experimental procedures with little disturbance of the physiological environment; (d) a high percentage of "takes" is obtained; and (e) transillumination for microscopic study of early stages of growth and vascularization is practicable.

The original tumor was induced in five hamsters out of nine. Thirty-five cheek pouch transplants were made, and all became successfully established, measurable, on the average, in 4 days. The tumors were either spheroid or ovoid. Growth was rapid and, after the fourteenth day, essentially exponential. Ulceration usually occurred between the twenty-fourth and the forty-third day. Each successive transplant increased in rate of growth.

Microscopically, the original methylcholanthrene-induced tumor appeared to be a spindlecell sarcoma with areas of pleomorphism. The cheek pouch transplants were similar but with more anaplasia and pleomorphism. Metastases were found in the liver, lung, spleen, mesentery, and intestinal wall. Similar anaplastic and pleomorphic characteristics were found in the metastases. While that in the spleen showed some tendency for spindle cells to be arranged in bundles, the liver metastasis was extremely anaplastic and pleomorphic.

^* This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the American Cancer Society (Massachusetts Division).

Received 9/ 3/50.

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				H. M. Lemon, B. R. Lutz, R. Pope, L. Parsons, A. H. Handler, and D. I. Patt Survival and Growth of Human Tissues Transplanted to Hamster Cheek Pouch Science, April 25, 1952; 115(2991): 461 - 465. [PDF]