Abstract
Since lymph node metastasis is a major prognostic factor of cancer, the development of early diagnosis system for lymph node metastasis is essential for improving the outcome of cancer treatment. It has been reported that metastatic cancer cells promote lymphngiogenesis. In this study, to test whether detection of lymphangiogenesis in the metastatic lymph node is a useful maker for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis, we analyzed contrast micro-CT imaging of lymphatic vessels in the metastatic lymph node of animal model for lymph node metastasis. The animal model used here was MXH10/Mo-lpr/lpr mice whose lymph nodes are enlarged to 10 mm in diameter. As a results of this study, the missing region of the contrast effect was observed in the contrast micro-CT imaging of the early metastatic lymph node.
