What Researchers Did
Researchers developed a simple laboratory method to measure cell division rates (labeling index or LI) in tissue samples using hyperbaric oxygen at 3 atmospheres, comparing it to existing in-vivo methods.
What They Found
The new method accurately measured cell division, and the LI of tumors remained stable for up to 135 minutes at room temperature. The average cell division rate for 39 human breast cancers was 3.8, with most falling between 2 and 3. Larger tumors had significantly higher cell division rates than smaller ones, suggesting they were growing faster.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The study suggested a link between high cell division rates and more frequent metastasis to lymph nodes, but this association was not definitively proven.