The Role of the Connective Reaction in the Development of Experimental Transplantable Tumours

Abstract

The development and invasive growth of Guérin T8 epithelioma were studied, from the 1st to the 30th day after transplantation. Our histological observations may be interpreted as follows: 1) the onset of tumour growth is dependent upon the ability of the tumour graft to evoke a continuous vascular proliferation; 2) the undifferentiated connective tissue, which develops around the tumour graft, represents a mechanical support and/or a suitable chemical environment for the vascular proliferation rather than for the malignant invasive growth; 3) the tumour growth will start only when the vascular proliferation reaches the border of the tumour graft and stimulates groups of viable tumour cells, dormant survivors of the largely necrotic tumour graft, to cell division and infiltration.