Cell mediated immune status in malignancy--pretherapy and post-therapy assessment.

Twenty-eight cases of malignancies of different kinds were studied to assess T-cell activity and population before and after institution of therapy. Fifteen cases were diagnosed as non-metastasising squamous cell carcinoma of larynx, pharynx, laryngopharynx, hypopharynx and tonsils. Seven cases were non-metastasising infiltrating duct carcinoma of breast and 6 cases were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). It was observed that 3 out of 15 cases (20%) of squamous cell carcinoma cases were Mantoux test (MT) negative with a T-cell population of less than 40%, 2 out of 7 cases (28.6%) of infiltrating duct carcinoma of breast were MT negative with a T-cell population of less than 40% and 3 out of 6 cases (50%) of NHL were MT negative with a T-cell population of less than 40%. The normal controls, consisting of apparently normal healthy adults, had a T-cell population of more than 40% and were all MT positive. The patients who showed a negative skin test and a T-cell population less than 40% were further subjected to assessment of T-cell population and activity after appropriate therapy, and clinical cure of the disease. It was observed that 2 out of 3 cases (66.66%) of squamous cell carcinomas, 2 out of 2 cases (100%) of adenocarcinomas and one out of 3 cases (33.33%) of NHL showed positive conversion with a T-cell population of more than 40%.

Bronchogenic carcinoma in young adults.

Clinicopathological features of 26 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma in patients below the age of 40 years have been studied and compared with 271 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma occurring in elderly patients. There was female preponderance (19.23%) in the younger study group compared to the elderly group (6.6%) and increased incidence of smokers in the younger group (57.6% versus 79.3%) and had achieved statistical significance (p < 0.001). Majority (20 out of 26) had a rural background. All the patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis and all the 26 cases except one belonged to advanced stage. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma was almost same for both the age groups. Eighteen of the 26 cases had received antituberculosis chemotherapy by general practitioners before referral to the specialists. Twenty patients were treated initially by palliative radiotherapy and then by chemotherapy.

Interrelationship among prognostic factors in carcinoma breast.

Presentation of breast cancer at an advanced stage is a rule than exception in rural West Bengal. It was observed that 65.6% of fresh cases presented with history of breast lump with a duration of over 12 months. Of the total 32 cases, 27 (84.4%) had breast lump of more than 5 cm size and had 4 or more pathologically positive axillary nodes. In 28 cases (87.5%) largest node measured was 2 cm or more. In histology of breast specimen, 12 (37.5%) showed high degree of lymph vessel invasion while 31 (96.9%) had at least some lymphatic invasion. Blood vessel invasion of high degree was observed in 18 cases (56.2%) while 29 cases (90.6%) showed at least some blood vessel invasion.

Experience with danazol in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

Danazol, a known effective agent for the treatment of benign breast disease and in endometriosis, was used in cases of advanced breast cancer with metastasis in bone, lung or in soft tissues. Out of 17 patients who received danazol, only 4 (23%) responded well. Postmenopausal patients responded better than premenopausal. Three out of the 4 responder received full course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy prior to danazol treatment. Out of the 13 non-responders, treatment could not be continued in 10 patients, either due to inability to meet up with the recurrent expenses of the cost of drugs or the patient was lost to follow-up or due to death. The rest 3 patients did not show any response at all to this drug, among them 2 were premenopausal.