Translational Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Does the Erythrocyte Associated Necrosis Factor Explain the Scarcity of Metastases in the Spleen?

Wilson IB Onuigbo

The grand anatomical eminence of the spleen rests, among other things, on its manufacture of erythrocytes, the littoral cells allowing traffic of blood cells between cords and sinuses. Manifestly endowed is the heart that pumps these cells and cancer cells to the spleen. In this context, lung cancer is best poised to scatter its millions of members to any organ including the spleen. Clearly, lung cancer cells and erythrocytes must commingle in the spleen. Elsewhere, such commingling was shown to lead to obvious cancer necrosis. Therefore, an Intrinsic Factor was reasoned to be responsible for such necrosis within the thoracic duct. It was named personally as the “Erythrocyte Associated Necrosis Factor” (EANF). Now, in the Theoretical Sciences, a hypothesis is held to have “operational power” if a result validates it. Therefore, for confirmation, repeated validations need to be looked for. This has been achieved. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that this very Factor is at work in the spleen, seeing that the occurrence of splenic colonization has been nil or few. It was also reasoned that, since “theoretical physics” as well as “theoretical physicist” are Dictionary renditions, both “theoretical oncology” and “theoretical oncologist” ought to emerge!