[Experimental carcinogenesis in the respiratory tract using the European field hamster (Cricetus cricetus L.) as a model].

Subcutaneous treatment of European hamsters with aliphatic (diethyl-, diisopropanol-,dibutylnitrosamine) and cyclic nitroso compounds (nitrosopiperidine, morpholine, and heptamethyleneimine) led to the development of respiratory tract tumors. Most of the neoplasms were seen in the nasal cavity and lungs, although tumors were also found in the larynx and trachea. Histologically, the tumors were diagnosed as papillary polyps, papillomas, adenomas, adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and mixed carcinomas. The length and weight of this species permit the performance of routine diagnostic methods such as radiography, bronchography and bronchoscopy. All such methods help towards a particularly early diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions.