MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE THYMUS AND OF THE PELVIC LYMPH NODES IN EXPERIMENTAL PROSTATE TUMOR

Using histological methods, the structural changes of the thymus and pelvic lymph nodes were studied in CBA mice 18 and 28 days after the transplantation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in the prostate. On Day 18, the substitution of prostate tissue by atypical cells was detected together with the disorganization of the thymus structure: an increase of the cortical substance size and epithelio-reticular cell number, reduction in the immunoblast number in medullary and cortical substance. Atypical tumor cells were detected in the sinuses of the lymph nodes. The area of paracortical zone was decreased, while the size of the secondary lymphoid nodules was increased. In the medulla, a reduction in size of the medullary sinuses was found. On Day 28 of the experiment, the growth of the tumor beyond the prostatic capsule was detected. In the thymus, a decrease in the proportion of the parenchyma and an increase in the area of connective tissue component was noted, while in the regional lymph nodes with metastases, the hypoplasia of the paracortical zone was observed.

thymus, pelvic lymph nodes, prostate tumor