The immunologic status of 59 patients with lung carcinoma was determined by analysis of peripheral venous blood samples. The following tests were performed: total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts, the number of acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive cells (T-cells), and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and tuberculin (PPD) transformation tests. The patients were divided into three treatment groups: a surgery group (S), a radiation therapy group (R), and a combined cytostatic and radiation therapy group (C). A follow-up was carried out 4 to 6 months after treatment. The therapeutic measures, resection, irradiation, and chemotherapy, produced a decrease in the total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts, in the number of T-cells, and in the leucocyte transformation response to PPD. In the surgically treated group the decrease was transient. In the groups treated with radiation therapy and combined cytostatic and radiation therapy the values remained low throughout the follow-up. The lymphocyte response to PHA was not altered in any of the groups during initial treatment or follow-up. The results did not suggest a correlation between the immunologic parameters used and the stage and histologic type of lung cancer. The tests were of no clinical value in the determination of the individual prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Lukes-Collins and Kiel classifications for non-Hodgkin lymphomas. A retrospective study considering both classifications and their relationships to stage, sex, age, and survival.

359 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas referred to Oulu University Hospital between 1964 to 1981, inclusive, were reclassified histologically according to the criteria of Lukes-Collins as well as Lennert's histological classifications. The requirements to enter this study were fulfilled only in 280 cases. After the evaluation of the results certain observations emerged. Firstly, within the Lukes-Collins classification: Nodularity was predominantly related to the SC and LC types. Nodularity is indicative of better survival. The Lukes-Collins classification correlates well with clinical stage as well as with age. The Burkitt and convoluted types were found to be predominantly related to childhood or to younger patients and the non-Burkitt type most frequently to the older groups. The Lukes-Collins classification separates well two clear prognostic groups, the favourable group (LC, SC, PC, and SL types), with an overall median survival of 44 months, and the unfavourable group (LNC, IS, convoluted, undefined, and SNC types), with an overall median survival of 11 months. No differences in survival were observed between the LNC, LC, and IS diffuse types. Stage, general symptoms and laboratory findings were also evaluated. Secondly, within the Kiel classification: Nodularity has been found mainly in the CB-CC type, but also in 27% of the CC cases. The relationship of the subtypes according to the Kiel classification and age resembles the same relation found with the Lukes-Collins classification. According to the Kiel classification, the Burkitt, convoluted, and lymphoblastic types were related to children and young adults. A proportion of the LB type occurs also in older groups. Three prognostic groups were identified, the favourable (CB-CC foll. and PC types), with an overall median survival in excess of 80 months, an intermediate group (CB-CC foll. - diff., CC, and CLL), with an overall median survival of 38 months, and an unfavourable group (Conv, CB, CB-CC diff., UC, IB, and Burkitt types), with a median survival of 11 months. The CC type in this study was controversial in its morphological acceptability.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer: relationships to tumour histopathology and survival of patients.

Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) concentrations were measured in the tumours of 399 cases of primary breast carcinoma. Histological type and histological grading was also analysed. The correlation between survival and histological grading was observed and found to be of high significance statistically. Longer survival of patients with ER- and/or PR-positive tumours was also observed, but the ER and PR prognostic value did not reach the same magnitude as histological alone. The prognostic accuracy in breast cancer, when histological grading, ER and PR were used together, failed to reach statistically significant values. A lower proportion of ER- and PR-positive tumours were found in histological grade III. The majority of the tumours belonging to specific histological variants of carcinoma were ER- and/or PR-positive. Relationships between ER, PR, menopausal status, and age were also noted. It was apparent that the prognostic value of PR concentrations in the tumour was more relevant than that of ER alone.

Adult↗