The introduction presents the most important recent knowledge of tumor immunity. All the known concepts of tumor-infiltrating cells are summarized including the historical background of stromal reaction. Its possible significance in an assessment of prognosis of cancer patients is emphasized. 2. The method of evaluation of this reaction in bioptic preparations is proposed and verified in seven series of carcinomas. The evaluation was directed to quantity, quality and topography of tumor-infiltrating cells. The method is recommended to routine practice for rapid performance, easy applicability, and reproducibility. 3. Cell reaction was evaluated by standard methods in carcinoma of the oral cavity, stomach, larynx, lung, breast, uterine cervix, and kidney. Individual parameters of cell reaction were confronted with clinical data on survival of patients with the aim to determine the possibilities and limits of interpretation of this reaction as a useful prognostic marker. 4. A special attention has been paid to the role of mast cells infiltrating tumors in the course of cancerogenesis in both experimental and human systems. The changes of individual parameters of reaction of tumor-infiltrating cells after regional chemotherapy were studied. Application of histochemical enzymatic reactions in identification of tumor-infiltrating cells is also reported. 5. The final chapter appraises further prospects of the investigation of tumor-infiltrating cells. The factors affecting the variability of this reaction, mechanisms of interactions between tumor-infiltrating cells and the tumor, and utilization of immunohistologic methods employing monoclonal antibodies are discussed.
