The present investigation deals with the morphological study of the subcutaneous sarcomas which developed in rats and guinea-pigs, following a single injection of polyciclic hydrocarbons. Sixty-one rats of both sexes and different ages were injected with 5 mg or 3 mg of 9,10-dimethyl-l,2-benzanthracene (DBMA) (groups I - VI), and 3 groups, each of 8 male rats, 21 weeks old, with 5 mg of 20-methylcholanthrene (MC) (group VII), 5 mg of 3,4-benzopyrene (BP) (group VIII), and 5 mg of 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene (DB) (group IX). Four groups of 8-10 guinea-pigs, 26 weeks old, received an injection of 5 mg of DMBA (group X), 5 mg of MC (group XI), 5 mg of BP (group XII), 5 mg of DB (group XIII). Olive oil was used as vehicle. Fourthy-three rats treated with DMBA, 1 rat with BP, and 1 rat with DB, developed subcutaneous tumors. No tumors were obtained in the rats treated with MC. Subcutaneous tumors arose in 6 and 4 guinea-pigs treated with DMBA and with MC respectively, but not in guinea-pigs treated with BP or DB. The reason of the negative results in rats injected with MC and of the low incidence of tumors in rats injected with BP and DB, is to be related to the high early mortality of the animals of these groups, due to the toxicity of the treatment. All the subcutaneous tumors resulted to be rhabdomyosarcomas. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the presence of typical cells, such as round or oval giant cells, strap-shaped and racquet-shaped cells, of the nuclear and cytoplasmic characters, and of the arrangement of the reticular fibers. Cross striations were observed only rarely, but their presence has not been considered necessary for the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Development of rhabdomyosarcomas in rats treated with various oncogenic agents has been reported by other authors: it is the first time, however, that these tumors are seen to arise in such a high incidence. As far as we know, these tumors have never been reported to occur in guinea-pigs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AbrikossoffA. I.: Über Myome, ausgehend von der quergestreiften willkürlichen Muskulatur.Virchows Arch., 260: 215–233, 1926.
2.
AbrikossoffA. I.: Weitere Untersuchungen über Myoblastenmyome.Virchows Arch., 280: 723–740, 1931.
BerenblumI.: The carcinogenic action of 9,10-dimethyl-l,2-benzanthracene on the skin and subcutaneous tissues of mouse, rabbit, rat and guinea pig.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 10: 167–174, 1949.
5.
BlumM. F.: Carcinogenesis by ultraviolet light.Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, 1959.
6.
BlumenthalH. T., and RogersJ. B.: Studies of guinea pig tumors. II. The induction of malignant tumors in guinea pigs by methylcholanthrene.Cancer Res., 22: 1155–1152, 1962.
7.
BullockF. D., and CurtisM. R.: A transplantable metastasizing chondro-rhabdomyosarcoma of the rat.J. Cancer Res., 1: 195–207, 1922.
8.
BurdetteW. J., and StrongL. C.: The inheritance of susceptibility to tumors induced in mice. I. Tumors induced by methylcholanthrene in five inbred strains of mice.Cancer Res., 3: 13–20, 1943.
9.
CampbellJ. G.: Two cases of rhabdomyosarcoma in the fowl.Brit. J. Cancer, 10: 700–702, 1956.
10.
CarinciP.: Rabdomiosarcomi sperimentali dei muscoli striati da microdosi di 20-metilcolantrene nel ratto albino.Riv. Anat. Patol. Oncol., 11: 497–512, 1956.
CheredejevaE. A.: Histological study of the experimental tumors of striated muscles.Voprosi onkologii, 8: 68–86, 1955.
13.
CuretonR. J. R., and GriffithsJ. D.: Rhabdomyosarcoma of the hand following severe trauma.Brit. J. Surg., 44: 509–513, 1957.
14.
DayL. E.: Rhabdomyoma of the lungs of a sheep.J. Am. Vet. M. A., 61: 436–441, 1922.
15.
DunningW. F., CurtisM. R., and BullockF. D.: The respective role of heredity and somatic mutation in the origin of malignancy.Am. J. Cancer, 28: 681–712, 1936.
16.
DunningW. F., CurtisM. R., and EisenM. J.: The carcinogenic activity of methylcholanthrene in rats.Am. J. Cancer, 40: 85–127, 1940.
17.
EberA., und MalkeE.: Geschwulstbildungen beim Hausgeflügel. Zusammenfassender Bericht über 392 bei 16,460 Geflügelsektionen ermittelte Neubildungen.Ztsch. f. Krebsforsch., 36: 178–192, 1932.
18.
EsmarchO.: The guinea-pig as an experimental animal in cancer research.Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scand., 19: 100–107, 1942.
19.
FeldmanW. H.: Neoplasms of domesticated animals.W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia and London, 1932.
20.
FouldsL.: The experimental study of tumor progression: a review.Cancer Res., 14: 327–339, 1954.
21.
FurthJ.: Conditioned and autonomus neoplasms: a review.Cancer Res., 13: 477–492, 1953.
22.
FurthJ., KimU., and CliftonH. K.: On evolution of the neoplastic state; progression from dependency to autonomy.Nat. Cancer Inst. Monograph., 2: 149–178, 1960.
23.
GeschicktenC., and MaseritzI. H.: Affections of muscles.J. Bone and Joint Surg., 21: 576–594, 1939.
24.
GilmanJ. P. W.: A study on the carcinogenic activity of cobalt, copper, iron, and nickel compounds.Cancer Res., 22: 156–162, 1962.
25.
GilmanJ. P. W., and RuckerbauerG. M.: Metal carcinogenesis. I. Observations on the carcinogenicity of a refinery dust, cobalt oxide, and colloidal thorium dioxide.Cancer Res., 22: 152–157, 1962.
26.
GonzalesR. J., Wong-ChiaC., and NunezG. A.: Carcinogenesis experimental. I. Produccion de tumores en la rata wistar con 3-metilcolantreno y 7,12-dime-tilbenzo(α)antraceno.Bol. Inst. Estud. Méd. Biol., 17: 1–7, 1959.
27.
GriceH. C., SayR. R., and McKinleyW. P.: Rhabdomyosarcoma in the heart of a chicken.J. Am. Vet. Ass., 130: 530–532, 1957.
GuérinM.: Tumeurs spontanées des animaux de laboratoire.Legrand & Cie., Paris, 1954.
30.
HaagensenC. D., and KrehbielO. F.: The morphology of the sarcomas produced by 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene.Amer. J. Cancer, 26: 368–377, 1936.
31.
HaagensenC. D., and KrehbielO. F.: Liposarcoma produced by 1:2-benzpyrene.Am. J. Cancer, 37: 474–484, 1936.
32.
HaddowA., TimmisG. M., and HorningE. S.: Rhabdomyosarcoma in the Albino rat.J. Roy. Micr. Soc., 74: 59–63, 1954.
33.
Haran-GheraN., TraininN., Fiore-DonatiL., and BerenblumI.: A possible two-stage mechanism in rhabdomyosarcoma induction in rats.Brit. J. Cancer, 16: 653–664, 1962.
34.
HartwellJ. L.: Survey of compounds which have been-tested for carcinogenic activity. Publ. Health Service Publ. n. 149, 2nd ed., U. S. Govt. Print. Office, Washington, D. C., 1951.
35.
HeathJ. C.: The production of malignant tumours by cobalt in the rat.Brit. J. Cancer, 10: 668–673, 1956.
36.
HeathJ. C., and DanielM. R.: The production of malignant tumours by cobalt in the rat: intrathoracic tumours.Brit. J. Cancer, 16: 473–478, 1962.
37.
HigginsG. M., and BennetW. A.: The influence of cortisone acetate upon the growth of a transplanted rhabdomyosarcoma in C3H mice.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 12: 851–859, 1952.
38.
HueperW. C.: Rhabdomiomatosis of the heart of guinea pig.Am. J. Path., 17: 121–124, 1941.
39.
HueperW. C.: Occupational tumors and allied diseases.Ch. C Thomas, Springfield, 1942.
40.
HueperW. C., and PayneW. W.: Experimental cancers in rats produced by chromium compounds and their significance to industry and public health.Am. Industr. Hyg. Ass. J., 20: 274–280, 1959.
41.
HurleyJ. V.: Spontaneous rhabdomyosarcoma in a mouse.J. Path. Bact., 72: 690–692, 1956.
42.
KroghG.: Two cases of rhabdomyosarcoma in chickens.North Vet. Med., 5: 232–236, 1953.
43.
LacassagneA.: Les cancers produits par les rayonnements électromagnetiques.Hermann & Cie., Paris, 1945.
44.
LacassagneA., et VinzentR.: Sarcomes provoqués chez des lapins par l'irradiation d'abcès a Streptobacillus caviae. Compt.Rend. Soc. Biol., 100: 249–251, 1929.
45.
LewisW. H.: Rhabdomyosarcoma. Rat tumor 92, Institute of Cancer Research, Columbia University, New York.Cancer Res., 3: 867–871, 1943.
46.
LiscoH., DucoffH. S., and BasergaR.: The influence of total body X-irra-diation on the response of mice to methylcholanthrene.Bull. John Hopkins Hosp., 103: 101–116, 1958.
47.
MaddockCh. L., KuryL., and RileyE.: A transplantable metastasizing rhabdomyosarcoma (mesenchymoma) in the W/Fu rat.Cancer Res., 22: 291–293, 1962.
48.
MaisinJ., et CoolenM. L.: Production de sarcomes chez le rat, a l'aide d'injections de 1,2,5,6-dibenzènanthracène et de 1,2-benzopyrène.Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol., 117: 109–111, 1934.
49.
MakowerL.: Les tumeurs spontanées chez les oiseaux.Rev. Path. Comp., 31: 703–719, 1931.
50.
MaltoniC.: Natura e significato del comportamento del tessuto connettivo in rapporto al processo neoplastico: considerazioni critiche e nuove prospettive. II Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Cancerologia. Parte II: Connettivo e Tumori.Atti della Società Italiana di Cancerologia, 2: 5–110, 1961.
51.
MillerE. E.: Studies on the growth rate of a rhabdomyosarcoma.Growth, 17: 67–73, 1953.
52.
MillerG. L., GreenE. U., KolbJ. J., and MillerE. E.: Studies on the proteins of rhabdomyosarcoma and normal muscle of mice. I. Gross composition, extrations with 0.5 M KCl, and fractionations by differential centrifugation and dialysis.Cancer Res., 10: 141–147, 1950.
53.
MosingerM.: La carcinorésistance du cobaye. Les conjonctivomes dus à l'injection sous-cutanée de 9/10-diméthyl benzanthracène.Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol., 141: 816–818, 1947.
54.
MosingerM.: Obtention, chez le cobaye, de sarcomes par une seule implantation de 9,10-diméthyl-1,2-benzanthracène.Copt. Rend. Soc. Biol., 146: 1351–1352, 1952.
55.
MulliganR. M.: Neoplasms of the dog.Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1949.
56.
NettleshipA.: Spontaneous mouse rhabdomyosarcoma.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 3: 563–568, 1943.
57.
OlsonC., and BullisK. L.: A survey and study of spontaneous neoplastic diseases in chickens.Bull. Mass. Agric. Exp. Sta., 391: 1–56, 1952.
58.
OppenheimerB. S., OppenheimerE. T., StoutA. P., WillhiteM., and DanishefskyI.: The latent period in carcinogenesis by plastics in rats and its relation to the presarcomatous stage.Cancer, 11: 204–213, 1958.
59.
PackG. T., and ArielI. M.: Tumors of the soft somatic tissues.Hoeber, New York, 1958.
60.
PackG. T., and EberhartW. F.: Rhabdomyosarcoma of skeletal muscle.Surgery, 32: 1023–1064, 1952.
61.
PeacockP. R.: Chemically induced tumors of fowls.Adv. Cancer Res., 5: 179–198, 1958.
62.
PeersJ. H.: The response of the central nervous system to the application of cancerigenic hydrocarbons.II. Methylcholanthrene. Am. J. Path., 16: 799–816, 1940.
63.
PeyronA.: Sur la dédifferenciation et l'évolution neoplastique de fibres musculaires striées dans le sarcome infectieux des oiseaux.Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol., 84: 19–22, 1921.
64.
RogersJ. B., and BlumenthalH. T.: Studies of guinea pig tumors. I. Report of fourteen spontaneous guinea pig tumors with a review of the literature.Cancer Res., 20: 191–197, 1960.
65.
RudduckH. B., and WillisR. A.: Malignant tumors in dogs. Description of 9 cases.Am. J. Cancer, 33: 205–217, 1938.
66.
RusselW. O., and OrtegaL. R.: Methylcholanthrene-induced tumors in guinea pigs, with a review of the literature on tumors induced with polycyclic carcinogenic hydrocarbons in this species.Arch. Pathol., 53: 301–314, 1952.
67.
RusselW. O., OrtegaL. R., and WynneE. S.: Studies on methylcholanthrene induction of tumors in scorbutic guinea pig.Cancer Res., 12: 216–218, 1952.
68.
SaxénE. A.: On the factor of age in the production of subcutaneous sarcomas in mice by 20-methylcholanthrene.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 14: 547–569, 1953.
69.
SaxénE. A., and StewartH. L.: Histogenic classification of induced gastric sarcomas in mice.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 13: 657–679, 1952.
SchlumbergerH. G., and LuckéB.: Tumors of fishes, amphibians and reptiles.Cancer Res., 8: 657–754, 1948.
72.
SchlumbergerH. G., and ZackG.: Neoplasia in the parakeet. IV. Transplantable methylcholanthrene-induced rhabdomyosarcoma.Cancer Res., 19: 954–958, 1959.
73.
ShearM. J.: Studies on carcinogenesis. V. Methyl-derivatives of 1:2-ben-zanthracene.Am. J. Cancer, 33: 499–537, 1938.
74.
ShimkinM. B., and BryanW. R.: Morphology and growth of subcutaneous tumors induced with carcinogenic hydrocarbons in strain C3H male mice.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 4: 25–35, 1943.
75.
ShimkinM. B., and MiderG. B.: Induction of tumors in guinea pigs with subcutaneously injected methylcholanthrene.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 1: 707–725, 1941.
76.
ShimkinM. B., and MiderG. B.: Carcinogenesis in guinea pig.Cancer Res., 1: 751–752, 1941.
77.
ShubikP., and HartwellJ. L.: Survey of compounds which have been tested for carcinogenic activity. Pub. Health Service, Publ. No. 149, Suppl. 1, U. S. Govt. Print. Office, Washington, D. C., 1957.
78.
ShubikP., PietraG., and Della PortaG.: Studies of skin carcinogenesis in the Syrian golden hamster.Cancer Res., 20: 100–105, 1960.
79.
SpampinatoV.: Neoplasie mesenchimali da 9: 10-dimetil,1:2 benzo-antracene nella cavia.Boll. Soc. Med.-Chir. Prov. Varese, 13: 1–15, 1958.
80.
StewartH. L., SnellK. C., DunhamL. J., and SchlyenS. M.: Transplantable and transmissible tumor of animals.In: Atlas of tumor pathology, Vol. XII, Fasc. 40. Armed Forces Inst. Pathology, Washington, 1959.
81.
StobbeG. D., and DargeonH. W.: Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of head and neck in children and adolescents.Cancer, 3: 826–836, 1950.
82.
StoutA. P.: Rhabdomyosarcoma of the skeletal muscles.Ann. Surg., 123: 447–472, 1946.
83.
StoutA. P.: Tumors of the soft tissues.In: Atlas of tumor pathology, Vol. II, Fasc. 5.Armed Forces Inst. Pathology, Washington, 1953.
84.
UmedaM.: Experimental carcinogenesis: rat rhabdomyosarcoma produced by the injection of toluylene blue.Gann, 45: 446–447, 1954.
85.
UptonA. C., KimballA. W., FurthJ., ChristenberryK. W., and BenedictW. H.: Some delayed effects of atom-bomb radiations in mice.Cancer Res., 20: 1–60, 1960.
86.
VasilievJ. M.: Early changes in the subcutaneous connective tissue of rats after implantation of pellets containing carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons.J. Nat. Cancer Inst., 23: 441–485, 1959.
87.
WarrenS., and GatesO.: Spontaneous and induced tumors of the guinea pig.Cancer Res., 1: 65–68, 1941.
88.
WorleyG.Jr., and GorhamJ. R.: The comparative pathology of rhabdomyosarcoma with a report of a case in a dog.Am. J. Path., 30: 837–849, 1954.
89.
ZimmermanH. M., and ArnordH.: Experimental brain tumors. I. Tumors produced by methylcholanthrene.Cancer Res., 1: 919–938, 1941.
