Lateralizations of Head-Neck Cancers are not Associated with Peripheral Asymmetry of Cell-Mediated Immunity

• Published in: International journal of neuroscience Vol. 119; no. 6; pp. 815 - 820
• Main Authors: Yoruk, O., Karasen, M., Timur, H., Erdem, T., Dane, S., Tan, U.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 2009; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; BCG Vaccine; cancer; Child; Female; Forearm; Functional Laterality; Head and Neck Neoplasms - immunology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - physiopathology; head-neck cancer; Humans; immunity; Immunity, Cellular; lateralization; Male; Middle Aged; tuberculin reaction; Tuberculin Test; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0020-7454; 1563-5279; 1543-5245
• DOI: 10.1080/00207450802329639

Earlier studies have reported right-sided lateralization for different organ cancers except breast cancer. In the present study, lateralization of head-neck cancers and their relation with the peripheral cell-mediated immune asymmetry was investigated. The sample was comprised of 42 men and 20 women diagnosed with cancer in the head-neck region. The diagnosis of cancer was made histopathologically. To measure the cell-mediated (type IV) immunity of both forearms, the tuberculin test (PPD test) was used in the subjects previously sensitized by BCG vaccine during the first year of age. Significant right-sided lateralization in men and the significant left-sided lateralization in women were observed in this study. There was no relation between the lateralization of cancer and the asymmetry of tuberculin reaction or the peripheral cell-mediated immune asymmetry.