Experimental model for studying the invasive characteristics of malignant tumours transplanted in bone and muscle of rats.

The subject of experimental research in bone oncology is comparatively neglected in the literature though it is recognised that such research could offer fundamental contributions to our knowledge of the biological behaviour of tumours in bone. A model for experimental study is proposed which is easy to carry out and effective in producing results. It consists of transplanting a highly malignant tumour with a 100 per cent "take" rate, such as Guérin's T8 or Oberling's aleukemic myeloma, in the tibia or femur of the rat. Some morphological and histochemical changes associated with the invasion and spread of these tumours in bone are reported. Observations were also made on their behaviour in muscle.