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Significance of the size distribution of bloodborne metastases
Author(s) -
Douglas J. R. S.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197102)27:2<379::aid-cncr2820270222>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - medicine , heuristic , set (abstract data type) , stage (stratigraphy) , neoplasm , pathology , computer science , biology , artificial intelligence , paleontology , programming language
The concept that stages of anatomical spread of metastasizing neoplasms are correlated with temporal stages is unsatisfactory in that the logical deductions based on such premises are not fulfilled. A model based on the notion that cells of a metastasizing neoplasm behave randomly and that their varied fates may be represented as probabilities has been constructed for heuristic purposes. From this model it can be seen that the notion of random behavior of individual cells accords with general failure of “early diagnosis” and with a worse prognosis in “stage 2” lesions. Deductions from the model also appear to agree with observations regarding immunity against tumor‐specific antigens. In addition, the model provides a means of evaluating certain parameters employed in its construction. The model is thus a conceptual framework within which the observed biological behavior of metastasizing neoplasms may be explained.