Artikel
Resection of VX2 squamous cell carcinoma in an animal model and its influence on the incidence of lymphatic metastases
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Veröffentlicht: | 22. September 2005 |
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Gliederung
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Introduction: The auricular VX2 squamous cell carcinoma in New Zealand white rabbits (NZW) is an established model for lymphogenic metastasing in head and neck (HN) oncology.
Material and methods: In 71 NZW rabbits VX2 SCC was induced on the auricle. On the eighth day the tumor was resected with wide surgical margins (R0 resection with curative intent). Six weeks later the animals were sacrificed and examined for regional lymph node (LN) and distant metastases. Bad outcome was defined as early tumor-related death or poor general condition. Overall survival curves were obtained with the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: The take rate of the tumor was 98.6%. In five animals (7%) local recurrences developed. In 28.2% metastatic involvement of the echelon parotideal LN was observed and in 15.5% - distant lung metastases. All animals with distant metastases had regional ones. Regional metastases presented in 100% of the animals with local recurrence and in 22.7% of the animals with successful R0 resection (p<0.001). Distant metastases presented in 80% of the animals with local recurrence and in 10.6% of the animals with successful R0 resection (p<0.001). Of the animals with local control achieved (n=66) those with positive LN had significantly higher incidence of distant metastases (87.4%) compared to those without LN involvement (0%, p<0.001). Regression analysis depicted the local recurrence as the most powerful prognostic factor for early tumor-related death. The presence of LN metastases was significantly associated with bad overall prognosis.
Conclusion: The evaluated animal model of SCC resembles HNSCC in humans morphologically (histologic aspects), in the process of metastasing and as a complex neoplastic disease. In an experimental setting aiming at curative R0 resection it has biologic behavior similar to clinical oncology. The achievement of complete tumoral resection proves to be the most important point in curative strategy.