J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 90(11): 1915-1921, 1989

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Original article

AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC DEMONSTRATION OF THE INVASION OF TUMOR CELLS INTO THE DIAPHRAGM

In order to assess the important changes in the morphologic features of the surface of the diaphragm, that occur in pathological conditions leading to cancer, an electron microscopic study was carried out in rabbit following intraperitoneal injection of 1) physiological saline solution, 2) erythrocyte, and 3) VX₂ tumor cells. After injection of physiological saline, or erythrocyte, a decreased number of microvilli was observed in the peritoneum of the diaphragm. After injection of VX₂ tumor cells, changes occurred in the mesothelium with a decrease in cell volume becoming spherical, a subsequent hydrophic degeneration of cytoplasm, breaking of contacts between cells and exfoliation from the basement membrane leading to stoma formation. Enlarged stoma were then rapidly occupied by the tumor cells invading the lymphatic cystema below the basement membrane, by the 14th day after innoculation. Eventually, localized disruptions occurred in the basement membrane through which the tumor cells penetrated into the peritoneal connective tissue into the lymphatic duct of the diaphragm. It is probable that these observed stages reflect the actual etiological dissemination in the peritoneum.

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