The production of deciduomata and the relation between the ovaries and the formation of the decidua / Leo Loeb.

  • Leo Loeb
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The production of deciduomata and the relation between the ovaries and the formation of the decidua / Leo Loeb. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    tive or inflammatory reactions—if there exists an un- known factor leading to the cell growth. In the case of deciduoma we have found the definite cause for its formation; and it is very desirable to em-\ phasize certain similarities between the deciduoma and ' various other tumors in order to indicate the possible presence of predisposing “preparing” substances, as the unknown cause of certain tumors. Given such a “pre- paring” substance, otherwise indifferent stimuli would be sufficient to excite the potential proliferative energy of the tissues. The fact that the deciduomata degener- ate as soon as the “preparing” substance ceases to be active is no valid reason for denying the designation “tumor” to these new formations. In order to indicate the ephemeral character of such new formations they may be called, “transitory tumors.” Even carcinomata may retrogress spontaneously. As I have pointed out in another paper,3 the presence of “preparing” substance can only explain the formation of a “transitory tumor” or at the best, of a tumor that grows indefinitely in the same individual in which it originated, hut it can not explain the growth of a tumor which can be transplanted into many other individuals in which such a “growth” substance is not likely to be present. In order to explain on such a basis the inoculability of tumors we should have to assume the hereditary transmission of an in- creased energy of growth to the following generations of tumor cells which thus would be able to continue to pro- liferate without the further presence of the growth sub- stance in the inoculated animal. The possibility of such a transmission into later generations has not yet been established. Until such a proof has been given we must assume that transplantable tumors carry with them in the tumor cells or in their direct neighborhood the stimulus which enables them to proliferate in a new host. But it is quite possible that a non-transplantable tumor which originated through the action of a “}ire- paring” substance may grow very rapidly and be, there- fore, malignant. Transplantable tumors, on the other hand, do not need to be very malignant. As I have pointed out,4 the degree of inoculability and energy of 3. tlber einige Probleme der experimentellen Tumorforsehung, Ztschr. f. Krebsforsch.. 1907, v, p. 17. 4. tlber einige Probleme der experimentellen Tumorforsehung, Ztschr. f. Krebsforsch., 1907, v, p. 18.
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