title: Monte Carlo simulation-based approach to model the size distribution of metastatic tumors.
abstract: The size distribution of metastatic tumors and its time evolution are traditionally described by integrodifferential equations and stochastic models. Here we develop a simple Monte Carlo approach in which each event of metastasis is treated as a chance event through random-number generation. We demonstrate the accuracy of this approach on a specific growth and metastasis model by showing that it quantitatively reproduces the size distribution and the total number of tumors as a function of time. The approach also yields statistical distribution of patient-to-patient variations, and has the flexibility to incorporate many real-life complexities.
authors.affiliation: California High School, San Ramon, California 94583, USA. emaiti96@gmail.com
authors.forename: Esha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maiti
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048429:Cell Size; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics