Biological Diffusion Coefficient for 3D Tumor Growth in Homogeneous Media

Abstract

Abstract:The bio-mechanism of the spread of tumor cells in a biological tissue is highly complicated and a potent source of controversy. The study of this mechanism is considered partially as a diffusion process for both normal and tumor cells. A 3D computer model is introduced to simulate the stochastic growth of living cells in a homogeneous nutrient medium. The model follows the cytokinetic rules of living cell division. Cell-cell interactions have been formulated and developed for both types. The term BDC (biological diffusion coefficient) is introduced as a new measure to assess the tumor progression in a normal tissue. The BDC of normal and tumor cells is calculated as a function of time and loss factor. The results show that the existence of normal cells acts as a stochastic resistance to the malignant growth. Moreover, the biological diffusion coefficient of tumor cell increases with time explaining the apparent acceleration and penetration of tumor cells through a normal tissue.