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The Organ Distribution of Disseminated ⁵¹Cr-labeled Tumor Cells¹

Departments of Surgery and Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The present study was undertaken to obtain quantitative data relative to the deposition and egress of neoplastic cells from organs following their hematogenous dissemination and subcutaneous inoculation. ⁵¹Cr-labeled Walker tumor cells in the rat and similarly tagged Brown-Pearce and V2 carcinoma cells in the rabbit were employed. Preliminary investigation confirmed the efficacy of this isotope technic for such studies.

Following jugular vein or intraportal injection, the residence of a vast majority of the living tumor cells in the lung or liver was transient, contradicting the common belief that most circulating cells lodge in the first organ encountered. The difference in the ability of the Brown-Pearce and V2 tumor cells to traverse the lungs was quantitated. Cells from the latter tumor less readily left this organ 24 hr following inoculation of 10 x 10⁴ cells.

Liver, kidney, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract, in decreasing order, were recipients of most of the cells which traversed the lungs. Distribution to brain, lymph nodes, and endocrine organs was considered insignificant.

Subcutaneous inoculation of tumor cells in the legs of animals was followed by a rapid egress of cells from the injection site to other organs.

These studies lend further support to the obsolescence of the concept that tumor distribution is related to mechanical considerations or soil factors. In all probability, patterns of tumor spread are dictated by anatomic considerations as well as intrinsic factors in the tumor cell and the tissue it reaches.

¹ Aided by American Cancer Society Grant P-142 and USPHS Grants CA-05949, CA-06670, and CA-05716.

Received 7/ 6/66. Accepted 10/ 7/66.

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