Lymphocytes in patients with ovarian cancer

Studies to determine the total number of circulating lymphocytes and their morphologic transformation in the presence of phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were carried out in 156 women: 81 who currently had an ovarian cancer or who had had it in the past; 54 normal women; and 21 patients with malignant diseases. The latter two groups served as controls. The total number of circulating lymphocytes is an important cosideration, as there is a significant decrease of lymphocytes in patients with ovarian cancer, a factor with great bearing on prognosis. The lymphoblastic transformation test in the presence of phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen showed not only significant changes in patients with ovarian cancer but also a correlation with survival at 6 months.