[Sequential evaluation of lymphocytic blastogenesis in cancer patients after surgical treatment]

Sequential evaluation of lymphocyte blastogenic response (LBR) to PHA was performed in 10 melanoma patients and in 10 gastric cancer patients undergoing radical operations. Preoperative determinations showed a significant depression of LBR in both patient groups as compared to healthy controls. In patients operated for melanoma the average duration of anesthesia was 101 minutes and in patients who underwent gastric resection it was 192 minutes. In both patient groups a further significant depression of LBR was observed in the early postoperative period; however the LBR returned to preoperative levels more promptly in patients who underwent melanoma excision than in those who underwent gastric resection.