BACKGROUND: Esophageal epidermoid carcinoma is a neoplasm with high mortality rates and a peculiar geographic distribution. Experimental studies are necessary to better understand the carcinogenesis process and improve therapeutic protocols. METHODS: Esophageal carcinogenesis has been chemically induced with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in 100 female mices. Four groups of animals were separated. Control groups I and II were treated weekly by esophageal gavage at room temperature or hot (60º-70ºC) water. Study groups III and IV were treated weekly for 3 consecutive days with diethylnitrosamine receiving also esophageal gavage with room temperature or hot water. Mices were sequentially sacrificed from day 30 until day 150 for collection and analysis of the esophagus. RESULTS: Results showed tumor incidence has not been affected by water temperature used for gavage (p=0.6854). Carcinogenesis has been induced in both groups receiving DEN, with clear and evident progression of pathological lesions. CONCLUSION: The model can be used for the study of mutagenic processes.
Tumor markers, biological; Esophagus; Carcionoma, squamous cell; Diethylnitrosamine
