Are the Showers of Cancer Cells in the Blood Responsible for an Increase in Metastases?

Abstract

Showers of cancer cells were detected in the blood of animals bearing an experimental colon carcinoma of the rat following the administration of fluids into the tumor mass. These showers of cancer cells, however, persisted in the circulating blood only for a short period of time. A significant increase in blood fibrinogen levels and a rapid consumption of factor VIII were also detected after surgery. Hepatic metastases occurred in 9.2 % of the control animals, in 27.7 % of the sodium pentobarbital treated animals, and in 22.4 % of those inoculated with sodium chloride intratumor. The significance of the presence of the showers of cancer cells into the circulating blood produced during these procedures, and the possibilities that these may increase metastases is discussed.