Effects of VX-2 carcinoma implanted in bone in rabbits.

This report presents the natural history of the VX-2 carci noma of the rabbit when implanted in bone (tibia). Tumor cells embolize about the fifth postimplant day and metastasize through the blood to the lung where cells may be identified on the tenth postimplant day; the mean survival interval is 33 days. Radiographie changes occur by the ninth postimplant day, while pathologic fracture is seen between the seventeenth and twenty-eighth days. The tumor induces elevation in the serum levels of calcium and ceruloplasmin, and depresses the serum level of phosphorus. Histologie studies suggest local hyperparathyroid-like résorptionof bone about the tumor implants. The report furnishes data from which further in vestigations in experimental intraosseous neoplasia may be conducted.