Carcinoma of the esophagus of rabbits induced with N-methyl-benzylamine and sodium nitrite.

Esophageal carcinomas were induced in three of five rabbits given 0.25% N-methylbenzylamine and 0.16% NaNO2 in their drinking water. The three rabbits with carcinoma had consumed more than 94 g of NaNO2 and had survived for more than 536 experimental days. The esophageal carcinomas were a slightly elevated type, and no polypoid lesions were seen. They were classified histologically as squamous cell carcinomas or adenosquamous carcinomas, or both. No metastases were found. The other two of the five rabbits died early in the experiment before any esophageal carcinoma had developed.