Cell Dissemination and Implantation of Neoplasms through Biopsy and Excision of Malignant Tumors

¹ Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital for Lung Diseases, Berlin-Heckeshorn

Dissemination and implantation of malignant cells by needle biopsy or excision are known. Implantation tumors could be observed after typical excision during thoracotomy, after transthoracic punctures and excisions and after mediastinoscopy.

The development of implantation tumors depends upon certain favorable factors: 1) the quality of the neoplasm, 2) the quantity of disseminated cells, 3) the resistance of the organism. On aspiration biopsy or excision from a focus suspected of being neoplastic, it cannot be said a priori: what is the present state of resistance of the body, what is the morphologic structure of the tumor, to what degree of classification the tumor belongs, how many neoplasm cells are disseminated through the manipulation.

Through animal experiments on rats with the Walker tumor and Yoshida sarcoma, the frequency of tumor ascites and intramuscular tumor was examined. Implantation tumors occurred in a high percentage in the puncture channels. Electrocoagulation of the puncture needle did not prevent the development of implantation metastasis. Tumor ascites puncture needles, after their use without aspiration, caused, due to adhering neoplasm cells, the transfer of neoplasms to healthy rats in 40 per cent to 60 per cent, respectively. On account of the danger of implantation-posibility of malignant cells, one should abstain from diagnostic manipulations in patients with intrathoracic tumors or neoplasms who can be subjected to surgical treatment without great risk.