[Role of the spleen in tumor surgery]

Tumorigenesis and tumor growth are connected with the immune system. Therefore the role of the spleen respectively splenectomy have gained increasing influence. The existing experimental and clinical results are discussed with the help of a general review of the literature. A manipulation of the immune system by splenectomy seems possible. A common pathomechanism has not yet been found. But experimental investigations are transferrable to human beings only under special conditions.