Studies on transplantation and behavior of hamster melanoma.

The first report of a methylcholanthrene-in duced transplantable melanotic tumor in a Syrian golden hamster was published by Shubik and asso ciates (14). Spontaneous hamster melanomas have been reported by Fortner and Allen (1) and Greene (5). Shubik found that no metastases occurred even when the tumors attained a size of 4 cm. in diameter. Fortner and Allen, and Greene reported diffuse metastases occurring after homologous transplantation of the spontaneous hamster mela noma. The present report deals with the behavior of hamster melanoma upon homologous transfer to various sites in the hamster and upon heterologous transfer to other animals.