Influence of surgery on the responsiveness of blood lymphocytes in patients with advanced cancer

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology Vol. 37; no. 2; p. 73
• Main Authors: Grzelak, I, Olszewski, W L, Engeset, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.1988
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - immunology; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adenocarcinoma - surgery; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma in Situ - immunology; Carcinoma in Situ - pathology; Carcinoma in Situ - surgery; Cells, Cultured; Colonic Neoplasms - immunology; Colonic Neoplasms - pathology; Colonic Neoplasms - surgery; Concanavalin A - pharmacology; Female; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymphocytes - immunology; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Phytohemagglutinins - pharmacology; Stomach Neoplasms - immunology; Stomach Neoplasms - pathology; Stomach Neoplasms - surgery; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology; Uterine Neoplasms - immunology; Uterine Neoplasms - pathology; Uterine Neoplasms - surgery
• ISSN: 0022-4790
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.2930370202

The effect of surgery on peripheral blood mononuclear cell responsiveness to mitogens and suppressor cell (SC) activity assessed in a concanavalin A (ConA) assay were studied in patients with stage 0 and stage III-IV cancer. Patients were exposed to a similar surgical trauma the same type of anaesthesia, and to no pre- and early postoperative radio- or chemotherapy. A more pronounced postoperative decrease in the lymphocyte count, responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and ConA, and in the SC activity was found in the nonadvanced than advanced cancer group. These findings point to an impaired mobilization and distribution capacity of circulating lymphocytes in patients with advanced neoplastic disease.