Investigations on esophageal carcinogenicity by methyl-phenyl-nitrosamine and ethyl alcohol in rats.

Methyl-phenyl-nitrosamine was administered subcutaneously or orally to Sprague-Dawley rats. Carcinomas of the esophagus were found in 46-87% of the animals. The induction period of tumors was 170-290 days. Simultaneous application of 25% ethyl alcohol given instead of drinking water did not alter tumor incidences and induction periods. Hepatotoxic effects of ethyl alcohol were not observed. Mean life expectancies of animals were not reduced.