Cell kinetics in a tumour cord

In some tumours, the viable cells grow around blood vessels forming cylindr ical structures called tumour cords, which are surrounded by regions of nec rosis. In the present paper, we propose a mathematical model for the cell k inetics in a tumour cord at the stationary state. Both proliferating cells and quiescent cells are considered, and the proliferating cell population i s structured by age. Cell migration towards cord periphery is accounted for from a continuum viewpoint. The age distribution of proliferating cells, t he fraction of cells in S phase, the growth fraction and the velocity along the cord radius are computed. The predictions of the model are compared wi th literature data obtained from two experimental. rat hepatomas. The model was used to compute the profile of the oxygen tension within the cord. Pos sible modifications and extensions are also presented. (C) 2000 Academic Pr ess.