[Sequential study of the immunologic picture in neoplasm patients before and after surgical intervention]

The results obtained in the study of the pre- and postoperative immunological picture in 25 patients suffering from carcinoma of the pavement epithelium of the oesophagus are reported. From this study it emerges that in the preoperative period, the serum levels of immunoglobulin and complement as well as the lymphocyte subpopulations do not present significant changes, whereas 44% of the patients present cell-mediated immunity certified by the skin test. On the other hand, in the postoperative period there is a sharp reduction in the OKT4/8 ratio due in the main to a relative increase in suppressor lymphocytes. In conclusion, the value of skin tests in "in vivo" anergic patient research is underlined, evidencing the need for a programme of immunostimulation in the postoperative period.