Lymphatic Dissemination of Cancer Cells in Mice Transplanted lntratibially with Ehrlich Carcinoma*

Abstract

Ehrlich carcinoma cells implanted in the marrow cavity of the tibia in Swiss mice induce
the formation of visible metastases in axillary lymph-nodes. The pattern of the lymphatic
vessels in the tumor implantation area was investigated. Cancer cells were found in lymph
samples taken from the subcutaneous inguino-axillary lymphatic trunk. The blockade of this
lymphatic vessel by a polyvinylic resin resulted in a different distribution of lymphnodal
metastases, while the hematic dissemination of cancer cells was unaffected. The results are
discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of the axillary metastases in the considered experimental
model.
Previous studies (1) indicated that Ehrlich carcinoma implanted in the marrow cavity
of the tibia in Swiss mice induced the formation of visible metastases in distant lymphnodes
such as axillary, paraortic, thoracic, paravertebral, and cervical nodes. These
findings suggested a study to identify the lymphatic circulation in the posterior leg of
the mouse after the intratibial transplantation of Ehrlich carcinoma and to analyse the
distribution of lymphnodal metastases after inducing lymphodynamic changes.