Apoptosis and necrosis as distinct cell loss mechanisms in avascular tumour growth

During the initial avascular phase of solid tumour growth, it is the balance between cell proliferation and cell loss that determines whether the tumour colony expands or regresses. Experimentalists have identified two distinct mechanisms that contribute to cell loss. These are apoptosis and nicrosis. cell loss due to apoptosis may be riferred to as programmed-cell-death, occurring,for example, when a cell exceeds its natural lifespan. In contrast, cell loss due to necrosis is induced by changes in the cells microenvironment,occurring, for example, in nutrient-depleted regions of the tumour. In this paper we present a mathematical model that describes the growth of an avascular tumour which compuises a centual core of necrotic cells, surrounded by an outer annulus of puoliferating cells. The model distinguishes between apoptisis and necrosis. Using a combination of numerical and analytical techniques we present results which suggest how the relative importance of apoptisis and necrosis changes as the tumour develops. The implications of these results are discussed briefly.