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Patterns of Spontaneous Metastasis of Transplantable Hepatocellular Carcinomas¹

Department of Anatomic and Research Pathology, The University of Texas System Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas 77030

A number of transplantable rat hepatocellular carcinomas of varied phenotype were exmined for their ability to metastasize. A striking diversity of pattern was observed, ranging from presentation in almost every organ to none at all. No relationship between metastatic capability and growth rate, tumor size, chromosome composition, or other functional characteristics was noted. Interestingly, several of the tumors demonstrated a lymphatic to vascular route of spread, very similar to that of human tumors.

¹ Supported by Grant CA-20657 from NIH.

Received 8/ 1/77. Accepted 10/17/77.