Production of intestinal and other tumours by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride in mice. II. Scanning electron microscopic and cytochemical study of colonic neoplasms.

Thum of colon induced by repeated subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethyl-hydrazine dihydrochloride in mice were studied by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the surface composition of normal and malignant colonic epithelial cells were investigated by ultrastructural cytochemistry. The neoplastic, nodular tumour masses which protruded into the lumen of colon displayed an asymmetrical, irregular growth pattern and surface contour. In contrast to the normal surface structure, the shape of crypt openings in malignant areas was distorted and they were irregularly spaced. Cells varying in size and shape in the intercrypt regions often formed random patterns of elevations and depressions. Microvilli on neoplastic cells were larger, more club-shaped and showed more disorderly arrangement than their normal counterparts. The distribution and quantity of surface acid mucopolysaccharide content and adenosine triphosphatase activity varied considerably from cell to cell in the neoplastic epithelium while they were more uniform in the normal colonic surface cells.