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The Fine Cytology of the Walker Tumor^*

( Chester Beatty Research Institute: Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Cancer Hospital, Fulham Road, London, S.W. 3, England)

An electron microscope study of thin sections of the Walker ascites tumor reveals that the cells possess the essential organelles found in most cells, such as nucleus, mitochondria, etc.; but they differ from most normally differentiated cells in two respects: First, the dense cytoplasmic particles usually associated with protein synthesis are mainly free and not connected to an intracellular membrane reticulum. Second, the highly convoluted cell surfaces with numerous projecting villi, together with the frequent intercellular gaps, are consistent with the loss of mutual adhesiveness characteristic of many other types of tumor cells.

The possible significance of these features is discussed.

No virus-like particles, such as those found in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, were noted.

^* This investigation has been supported by grants to the Chester Beatty Research Institute (Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital) from the Medical Research Council, the British Empire Cancer Campaign, the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research, the Anna Fuller Fund, and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.

Received 7/18/60.