Vascular architecture of 3-methyl choranthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy of resin casts.

A detailed knowledge of the vascular system of tumors is requisite to a clear understanding of tumor physiology and pathology. Accordingly, in this study, examination was made of the vascular architecture of rat fibrosarcomas induced by 3-methyl choranthrene by scanning electron microscopy of resin casts to observe the three-dimensional vascular pattern of the sarcoma. The results were compared with those of corresponding serial sections of India ink-injected tissue. The major arteries in and around tumors appeared devoid of intra-arterial cushions which regulate blood flow. The arterial lining of resin casts was smooth just at the site where it entered the tumor. This may possibly be indication of degeneration and loss of the smooth muscle layer in the vascular wall. Casts of capillaries were very thin from 4 to 6 microns in diameter and very few sprouts could be seen. Capillaries, frequently present in superficial regions of the tumor, formed a rich irregular fine polygonal network. In fibrous tissue in deeper regions of the tumor, this network was coarse. The absence of intra-arterial cushions and degeneration of muscle cells may thus possibly be the reason for the characteristic haemodynamics of tumors.