In vivo corrosion, tumor outcome, and microarray gene expression for two types of muscle-implanted tungsten alloys

► Tungsten/nickel/cobalt, tungsten/nickel/iron, and pure tungsten were studied. ► Male Fischer rats implanted with pellets in gastrocnemius muscle of each hind leg. ► Aggressive rhabdomyosarcomas developed from tungsten/nickel/cobalt pellets only. ► Microarray gene expression analysis was carried out on selected tumors. ► Pellet degradation, urinary metal concentration, and sarcoma were correlated.