To assess cell mediated immunity in colorectal cancer, the peripheral lymphocytes, T.lymphocytes and the delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to DNCB and PPD were measured, and then peripheral lymphocytes and T.lymphocytes counts were sequentially measured in the postoperative period.
From August, 1975 to July, 1981, 76 cases of colorectal cancer were operated but 28 cases were selected for this study, for the other cases did not undergo preoperative measurements of the lymphocytes.
The result were as follows
1) Peripheral lymphocytes, total T-lymphocytes and active T-lymphocytes counts in patients with colorectal cancer were significantly decreased than normal control group. (p<0.col)
(1) the mean of peripheral lymphocytes was 1,721±802.7/㎣
(2) the mean of total T-lymphocytes was 900±418.5/㎣
(3) the mean of active T-lymphocytes was 510±236.5/㎣
2) The difference in peripheral lymphocytes, total T-lymphocytes and active T-lymphocytes counts between the unresected group and the resected group were not statistically significant, but its counts in the uresected group were slightly less than that of the resected group.
3) On sequential measurements for lymphocytes of the colorectal cancer patients in the postoperative period, peripheral lymphocytes, total T.lymphocytes and active T-lymphocytes counts were decreased in postoperative 1 st and 2 nd week than preoperative counts but they were gradually increased in postoperative 3rd~4th week, and both resected group and unresected group had same tendency.
4) Four out of 28 patients did not have DNCB skin test and the results of DNCB test of the 24 patients showed that 5 out of 24 had strong reaction(3+~4+) and 19 out of 24 had weak reaction(under 2+).
Especially, 4(21.1%) out of 19 patients with weak reaction had no metastasis to the regional lymph nodes (Dukes classification B) and the others ((15 patients; 78.9%) had regional
lymph nodes inetastasis(Dukes C and D). Among the 19 patients, 8 patients did not show any reaction to DNCB(anergy) and they all had regional lymph nodes metastasis(Dukes C and D).
5) Eight out of 28 patients did not have PPD skin test and the results of PPD test of the 20 patients showed that 12 out of 20 had positive reaction, 2 out of 20 had weak positive reactien and 6 out of 20 had negative reaction. Five out of 12 patients with positive reaction had no metastasis to the regional lymph nodes(Dukes B), and the others(7 patients) had regional lymph nodes metastasis(Dukes C and D).
Especially, 6 patients with negative reaction had regional lymph nodes metastasis (Dukes C and D).
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