Establishment of the retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis model of endometrial VX2 carcinoma in rabbits and observation of its metastatic features

BACKGROUND The objective of this study is to establish the retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis model of endometrial VX2 carcinoma in rabbits and observe of its metastatic features. METHODS The VX2 cells were transplanted into the uterine muscularis mucosae of 48 rabbits by injecting carcinoma mass suspension. According to time, the rabbits were killed after the transplantation of VX2 cells, and they were divided into six groups, 15-, 18-, 21-, 24-, 27-, and 30-day group, and six rabbits in each group. Control groups consisted of those receiving no treatment or an injection of saline. The specimens of transplanted endometrial carcinoma and retroperitoneal lymph node in the rabbits were examined histopathologically after they were killed. RESULTS All rabbits developed VX2 endometrial carcinoma which was confirmed with pathological examination. Significantly increased tumor volume was observed at day 24, 27, and 30 post-injection of VX2 cells (P < 0.05). The retroperitoneal lymph nodes were not enlarged completely in each rabbit in the 15-day group, partly enlarged in the 18- and 21-day group, and all enlarged in the 24-, 27-, and 30-day group. The histopathological examination revealed no complete retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in the 15- and 18-day group, partial metastasis in the 21-day group, and complete metastasis in the 24-, 27-, and 30-day group. CONCLUSIONS The model was established successfully by injecting carcinoma mass suspension, and various retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis model of endometrial VX2 carcinoma can be established rapidly in a month after the transplantation.