The influence of high-energy shock waves on the development of metastases.
The hypothesis that exposure of a solid tumor to high-energy shock waves (HESW) could lead to an increase of metastases was investigated in an animal model. The highly metastatic AT-6 Dunning R3327 rat prostate cancer subline was implanted in the hind limb of a Fisher-Copenhagen rat and was exposed to 6000 shock waves delivered by an experimental lithotripter, or sham-treated, as soon as the tumor had reached a volume of 175-225 mm3. The tumor-bearing leg was amputated 24 h later and the number of metastases was examined 12 weeks thereafter at autopsy. Metastases were seen in 82% of the animals exposed to HESW and in 25% of the sham-treated animals. There was no significant difference in weight of the lungs that contained metastases, between sham and treated animals. These results were confirmed in a second experiment. We conclude that the metastatic spread of tumors with a high metastatic potential may be enhanced by shock-wave exposure.
Oosterhof
G O
GO
Department of Urology, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Cornel
E B
EB
Smits
G A
GA
Debruyne
F M
FM
Schalken
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*