It was the object of the present animal experiments to test whether phenacetin (PH) exerts a complete solitary carcinogenic effect on the quiescent and rapidly proliferating urothelium of the lower urinary tract of the rat. In order to stimulate proliferative activity resection of one-third of the urinary bladder was performed which is known to induce intensive reparative regeneration in the stump. PH was administered either continuously with the diet or by gavage in three single doses when proliferative activity was highest. After an experimental period of 2 years 74–83% of the animals receiving PH continuously and 49–52% of the rats after limited gavage feeding had developed uni- and bilateral hyperplasia of the epithelium of the renal papilla. Histologically, the papillary hyperplasia exhibited urothelial differentiation and a typical endophytic growth pattern. It was always associated with healed or, rarely, fresh micronecroses of the subjacent papillary tissue. The urothelial hyperplasia of the renal papilla has to be considered not a true preneoplastic, but rather a reactive proliferative lesion in the sense of a reparative hyperregeneration due to toxic necroses. There was no evidence for a complete solitary carcinogenic action of PH on the urothelium of the entire lower urinary tract. It seems most likely that a metabolite of PH realizes tumor growth only as cocarcinogen with initiation-stimulating and/or initiation-promoting effects acting together with other causative factors during multifactorial multistage carcinogenesis. Based upon the experimental findings reported here, the concept of PH as a solitary complete urothelial carcinogen for man should be reassessed.

Keywords:
Phenacetin, Lower urinary tract, Partial cystectomy, Urothelial hyperplasia, Renal papilla, Multifactorial multistage carcinogenesis
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1983 S. Karger AG, Basel
1983
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.