More precise localization of nasal tumors associated with chronic exposure of F-344 rats to formaldehyde gas.

Considerable interest and research have resulted from the finding that squamous cell carcinomas, polypoid adenomas, and a small number of other nasal neoplasms occurred in F-344 rats following chronic inhalation exposure to formaldehyde. These tumors were reported to originate in the anterior portion of the nasal cavity but their precise location in the nose was not determined. Histologic sections from the nasal passages of these rats have been reexamined and the location of each tumor has been recorded. The majority of squamous cell carcinomas occurred on the anterior portion of the lateral aspect of the nasoturbinate and adjacent lateral wall (57%) or the midventral nasal septum (26%). Polypoid adenomas were confined to a small region of the anterior nasal cavity and were restricted to the free margins of the naso-and maxilloturbinates and lateral wall adjacent to these margins. One neoplasm, considered to be the malignant counterpart of the polypoid adenoma, originated on the dorsal margin of the maxilloturbinate in the same region of the nose. Remaining neoplasms were generally too large or too poorly preserved for assessment of their site of origin. Mechanistic studies directed toward a better understanding of the nasal carcinogenicity of formaldehyde, or other nasal carcinogens. should take into account the anatomic sites of origin of the neoplasms whenever this can be determined.