7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced undifferentiated tumors in 10–30% of the adrenal glands in mice kept under varying physiologic states. There were no structural pretumorous changes. The histology of the nontumorous or partly tumorous adrenal glands was not altered. The tumors occurred in either or both glands and grew up to 10 mm in size. The cells were undifferentiated, containing large spindle or ovoid nuclei with chromatin granules. The tumors were transplantable. The transplanted tumors were more pleomorphic, vascular, and mitotically active. “Corticoid” granules were seen both in the induced and the transplanted tumor cells, but the host organs were unaffected. Evidences were found to show that the likely cell of origin of tumors was the subcapsular mesenchymal A cell. The inhibitory effect of androgens on the initiation stage of adrenal tumors was discovered.

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Paper read at the VII International Congress of the International Academy of Pathology, Milan, 1968.

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©1969 American Association for Cancer Research.
1969
Cancer Research, Inc.