Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on experimental malignant bone tumors.

The relaxation times of water protons were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method in two kinds of experimental malignant bone tumors, intramedullary transplanted VX2 carcinoma and Gardner osteosarcoma 519. The relaxation times for malignant tumor tissues were significantly elevated than those for normal bone tissues. Bone marrow sample, where VX2 carcinoma was transplanted 1 week before and included only a few scattered malignant tumor cells, showed the elevation in the relaxation times compared with that of normal bone marrow. In addition, analyses of the electrolytes and the water content of each tissue suggest that the elevation of the relaxation times is not necessarily attributable to the factor of the water content.