Skin tumors and reactive cellular infiltrate: further studies

Twenty-two non-ulcerated basal cell carcinomas and 30 non-ulcerated squamous cell carcinomas were selected to study the reactive cellular infiltrate, utilizing histological, histoenzymatic and immunological methods. Substantial differences in cell behaviour were observed between the two tumors: advanced and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma showed prominent presence of T8+ lymphocytes, Leu 7+ cells, macrophages, mast cells and granulocytes, notably eosinophils. Degranulation of mast cells was seen both in the tumor itself and in the adjacent stroma. The basal cell carcinoma presented a low count of T4+, T8+ lymphocytes, whereas Leu 7+ cells and granulocytes were absent.