Experimental induction of osteosarcoma by subperiosteal radioactive phosphorus injections in rats.

In search of a predictable experimental model for the study of therapeutic modalities for osteosarcoma, a group of rats had injections of phosphorus-32 (P-32) colloid subperiostally and were followed for the occurrence of malignant bone tumors until death or for 18 months. Of 50 rats, 26 died of unrelated causes and only 24 were included in the study. Two cases of osteosarcomas, one occurring in month 16 and the other at month 18 were induced; one case demonstrated multiple lung metastases. Clear evidence of the sarcoma inducing effect of P-32 has been obtained in this study. However, a high yield experimental osteosarcoma model was not produced.