title: Orthotopic VX rabbit tongue cancer model with FDG-PET and histologic characterization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present our experience with the use of an immunocompetent medium-sized animal model of tongue cancer that may be suitable for imaging and surgical studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A New Zealand white rabbit model of tongue cancer was created by injecting a VX tumor cell suspension grown in culture into the tongue of our model. The tumor was examined 7 days following implantation by physical examination, photography, and (18) fluoro 2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). At 12 days postimplantation, the model was again studied as described above prior to euthanization, and then tongue excision and bilateral neck dissections were performed. All tissue was examined by histology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We confirmed a successful orthotopic tongue cancer model that resulted in cervical nodal metastases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This model may be a useful model of orthotopic head and neck cancer for future surgical or imaging research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. bstack@uams.edu
authors.forename: Brendan C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Stack
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Twyla B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Bartel
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shafirstein
authors.forename: Chien
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Bipin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Samta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: Val J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nagarkar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011817:Rabbits; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C009680:VX-agent