Abstract
Walker-256 carcinosarcoma transplanted to the cecal wall of rats was found to be an experimental model suitable for studying the effectiveness of a combined use of surgery and chemotherapy in the gastrointestinal cancer in man.
A total of 345 animals were inoculated with Walker-256 carcinosarcoma in the serosal pouch of the cecum. By gross observation at laparotomy on the 11th day after operation, 213 animals were found to be free from distant metastasis and the local tumors were diagnosed as resectable. Cecoappendectomy was performed on 120 such resectable animals. After this operation they were divided into 2 groups, one left untreated and the other treated with intraperitoneal administration of Mitomycin-C starting immediately after the operation. Survival was followed for subsequent 8 weeks. The survival rate was 64% in the postoperative chemotherapy group and 31% in the control group.
Certain experimental data on the extent of spread of cancer in the organs, lymph nodes, and peritoneal cavity were also presented and discussed. Mitomycin-C was effective not only in decreasing liver and lung metastases but also in decreasing lymph-node metastasis and recurrences at the primary site.
