Experimental Tissue Transplantation Using a Biopsy Instrument and Radiologic Methods

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES.The liver is the most common site for metastases from gastrointestinal tumors, malignant melanoma, and primary liver tumors. Early detection or exclusion of a neoplasm is important for appropriate treatment. The authors introduce a method for tumor transplantation into the rabbit liver for experimental purposes. METHODS.VX2 tumor cells initially were grown intraperitoneally in a New Zealand white rabbit. Using an automated biopsy instrument with an ultrathin-wall biopsy needle, standardized tumor samples were taken from the peritoneal tumor. Using the same technique, a tumor sample was transplanted into the left liver lobe in a series of seven rabbits. RESULTS.Tumor growth was achieved in all cases at the implantation site. The tumors were well delineated from the surrounding liver parenchyma. Metastases occurred only at later stages. CONCLUSION.The method is almost nontraumatic to the animals, and the technical procedure is simple, time-saving, and provides well-localized tumor growth.