Cytoreductive surgery impedes metastasis and enhances the immune response: a preliminary report

In an effort to determine the effect of cytoreductive surgery on the metastatic process, MAT-LyLu flank tumors were excised from Copenhagen x Fischer rats and the effects of this surgery on metastatic lung lesions were observed. Cytoreduction resulted in a decrease in lung lesions (P less than 0.05). Adjuvant cyclophosphamide (CTX) further enhanced this beneficial effect. A concurrent increase in the helper/suppressor ratios suggested that this beneficial response might be mediated by the host's immune response.