Modeling Metastatic Endometrial Cancer Model: A Technique to Generate Endometrial Cancer with Lymph Node Metastasis in Rabbit Models

To begin, prep an anesthetized female rabbit in the dorsal position. Make a surgical incision through its abdominal wall to expose the abdominal cavity. Locate the uterine horns. These tubular structures are analogous to two distinct uteri extending from the fallopian tubes and opening up into two separate cervices on both sides. Surgically tie up the uterine horns on either side at a site closer to the cervices to isolate the distal uterine horn regions.

Now, inject a highly metastasizing desired tumor cell suspension into the myometrium or the outer muscular layer of the uterus at a point between the suture site and the cervix. Place the uterine horns back into the abdomen. Close the incision and allow the rabbit to recover. Within days of injection, a tumor develops at the site of injection. The cells from this tumor, with high metastatic potential, may travel through the lymphatic system and extravasate into lymph nodes, resulting in lymph node metastases.