Abnormal mitosis in tumours

Abstract

1. The most common mitotic abnormalities naturally occurring in tumours consist of stickiness of chromosomes, irregular or polyploid chromosome number, and incomplete or complete suppression of the spindle. 2. These abnormalities are partly attributed to lack of food supply and to toxic breakdown products, both of which are always present in rapidly growing tumour regions. 3. Beside the abnormalities due to environmental factors, a large number of active tumour cells with a reduced chromosome number may also be seen in some tumours. In undergoing mitosis such cells may exhibit great dependence on each other. 4. The behaviour of tumour cells with a reduced chromosome number suggests that mitotic activity is under cytoplasmic and not nuclear control. © 1947, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.