title: Effect of contrast material on transitional cell carcinoma viability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of contrast material on the viability of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cells and the ability of such cells to attach to a recipient bed, because seeding of TCC into the upper urinary tract is a possibility during retrograde pyelography or percutaneous procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary cultures of TCC cells were established and placed in either quarter, half, or full-strength contrast for 10 minutes or one-quarter strength contrast for 10, 30, and 60 minutes. Cells were then removed from the contrast agent, resuspended in urothelium-specific media, and incubated for 5 days, after which the cells were counted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A pronounced decrease in cell viability was observed with increasing exposure time and contrast material concentration. Cells incubated for 10, 30, and 60 minutes with contrast yielded an average of 79%, 60%, and 12% of the control group growth, respectively (P <0.001). Likewise, plates incubated with quarter, half, and full-strength contrast yielded 79%, 27%, and 10% of the control group growth, respectively (P <0.001). The difference in the response of low-grade superficial and high-grade invasive bladder tumors was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCC cells that have been exposed to dilute contrast material for a short period are able to attach and grow on an adequate recipient bed. However, increasing the contrast concentration and/or the exposure time appears to decrease the viability and adherence of the TCC cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lindert
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Terris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine