Immunohistochemical demonstration of Langerhans cells in irradiated buccal mucosa of patients with head and neck cancer

ABSTRACT

Biopsy specimens were obtained from irradiated buccal mucosa of patientstreated with Co 60, for head and neck caner. The total dosage, and time-dosefractionation were recorded. Immunohistochemical staining of Langerhans cells[LCs], using anti S-100 protein antiserum, was performed to study the effectof radiotherapy on LCs of the buccal mucosa. Normal non-irradiated buccalmucosa was included in this study, and was served as a control. There was anincrease in the number of LCs after receiving a dose of 1000-2000 rads [r],when compared with normal buccal mucosa, whereas a marked reduction in thenumber of LCs was detected after a dose of 4000-6000 r. Residual LCsfrequently exhibited signs of considerable morphologic alterations