Immunological status as a criterion for operability of genitourinary cancers

Delayed hypersensitivity reaction of 116 consecutive cases of urologic cancers were studied by skin tests. Ninety-one percent of those who were operable or free of diseases at least six months had positive skin reaction. All patients with inoperable or recurrent bladder, kidney, or testis tumor had negative skin reaction. All patients with operable prostatic cancer and 52% of those with inoperable prostatic cancer had positive skin reaction. Skin testing could provide useful data regarding the extent of tumor and operability. It is proposed that skin testing be included in routine preoperative evaluation of urologic cancers.