RESUMO
The immunological effects of spa bathing and its influence on the systemic performance were studied in 15 patients with stomach or colon cancer who had received operations and were treated by lentinan. Ten patients were treated by spa bathing and five patients were not treated.<br>Immunological performance was assessed in terms of white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, surface markers of lymphocytes, natural killer activity and immunoglobulins. There were no significant differences in immunological parameters between the bathing groups and non-bathing group of patients. The systemic performance improved in the majority of patients of the bathing group and became more aggravated in the majority of patients of the nonbathing group. The results of this study suggest that spa bathing is beneficial, not harmful, to the systemic performance of patients with cancer.