[Langerhans cells do not influence the postoperative survival of esophageal epidermoid carcinoma]

Langerhans' cells (LC) in several tumors have been related to a better postoperative prognosis. We have performed the present study in order to verify this hypothesis for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

A retrospective analysis of histologic preparations of OSCC was made. For the identification of LC, the deparaffinized sections were stained with anti S-100 protein antibody using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method. We assessed the presence of LC in the whole tumour, in the stroma and in the epithelium. We also analyzed their influence on postoperative survival and their relation to histologic differentiation, wall involvement, peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration and microscopic growth type.

35 patients who underwent standard esophagectomy for OSCC. None had received radiotherapy and none died from postoperative complications.

LC were found in 88.6% of patients. In 31.4% only in the epithelium and 17.1% exclusively in the stroma. Mean cellular density was greater in epithelium (NS). A higher two-year survival was found in patients with a greater cellular density without statistical significance. More than 15 LC/mm2 were associated with infiltrative growth type tumors whereas less than 15 LC/mm2 were associated with infiltrative growth type ones (P < 0.01). No statistical significant correlations were found with other parameters.

Our results do not support an influence of the LC on the OSCC postoperative survival. We have shown an association between LC density and growth type but its significance is still undetermined.