Immunological status of patients in carcinoma head and neck

The cell mediated immune response in 45 patients of cancer, head and neck was evaluated by various parameters and compared with 20 control cases. (DNCB) Dinitrochlorobenzene cutaneous reactivity in vivo was compared with T lymphocytes, estimated as active rosette forming cells (ARFC) and Total rosette forming cells (TRFC) in peripheral blood. The ratio of TRFC/ARFC was studied in various histological subtypes of cancer head and neck. Lymphocytic infiltration around tumor mass was correlated with peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL), ARFC and TRFC levels in blood. Significant difference was noted in the level of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). TRFC and ARFC between control cases and cancer patients. There was a marked increase in all three parameters i.e. PBL, TRFC, ARFC (P less than 0.001) and a positive DNCB reaction in Adenocarcinoma of nasopharynx, thyroid and salivary gland and a significant decrease in Squamous cell Carcinoma of oral cavity and larynx (p less than 0.001) associated with impaired DNCB sensitivity. These parameters serve as an assessment of the degree of immune reactivity of the host to the malignant tumours.