Histological changes in the submandibular glands of rats after intraductal injection of chemical carcinogens.

Carcinogens injected into the excretory canal of submandibular gland of Donryu rats revealed the following histologic changes in salivary glands. 20-Methylcholanthrene induced squamous cell metaplasia, fibrosis in the early stages, and "benign lymphoepithelial lesion"-like pattern after 3 months. Dense hyalinization occurred after 4-5 months with so-called "mixed tumor"-like pattern. In the later stages epidermoid carcinoma and fibrosarcoma were observed. 9, 10-Dimethylbenzanthracene caused degenerative change, metaplasia, fibrosis and cell infiltration, and later carcinoma and sarcoma appeared at a high rate. 4-Nitroquinoline-N-oxide led to dense hyalinization and so-called "mixed tumor"-like pattern was observed in many specimens. N-nitroso-N-methyl urethane and N-methyl-N-nitroso-N'-nitroguanidine revealed metaplastic changes, fibrosis and lymphoid infiltration. Scarlet red induced remarkable infiltration and aggregation of lymphoid cells, showing benign "lymphoepithelial lesion"-like pattern.