Role of operative trauma: explosive metastases of similar size following amputation of the primary leg tumor.

Trauma produced by amputation of a limb bearing the primary tumor influenced pulmonary metastases of the Carcinosarcoma of Walker 256 of the rat. This enhancement was present in 38% of the animals following the removal of a limb bearing the primary tumor; and in 29% of those in which the controlateral limb without tumor was amputated. A significant prolongation of the clotting time, an elevation of fibrinogen factor II and VII and a rapid consumption of factor VIII present soon after trauma may have been the parameter responsible for the increase of pulmonary metastases seen in this study.