ABSTRACT
The relationship of a cancer patient's immunoreactivity and prognosis appears to be more complex than originally reported. Many earlier studies seemed to show that these assessments of immune competence had prognostic significance. Later reports showed no correlation. Newer technology has given the capability of measuring T-lymphocyte subpopulations and offers the possibility of a more sophisticated assessment of immunoreactivity that might correlate with prognosis. A study of 59 head and neck cancer patients was undertaken to assess the value of measuring the T-cell subpopulations in the peripheral blood and from regional neck lymph nodes. This study shows no difference between those patients free of disease and those either living or dying of disease. The conclusion of this study is that the measurement of T-cell subpopulations offers no prognostic value for patients with head and neck carcinoma.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology , Head and Neck Neoplasms/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/classification , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Male , Prognosis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A group of 24 patients with recurrent and/or metastatic cancers were treated with photodynamic therapy using hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) to study feasibility of this new technique. This experience demonstrated that photodynamic therapy is possible for head and neck cancer and that the toxic reactions and complications are minimal. The short durations of response in this group of patients most probably are a reflection of current lack of understanding about what represents maximal tolerable doses of HpD and frequencies of treatment.
