T-lymphocytes detected by esterase technique in malignant tumours of the thyroid.

The authors studied the percentage of T-lymphocytes detected by means of acid non specific esterase technique in patients with malignant thyroid tumours. The lymphocytes were investigated in the punctates from the tumour as well as in the venous blood. The results were compared with those in simple goitres and in healthy controls respectively. It has been found that the percentage of T-lymphocytes in the tumours limited to the thyroid was significantly higher in comparison with those of disseminated tumours. In the venous blood of cancers with metastases the ANAE positive lymphocytes were decreased, when compared with thyroid cancers without spread as well as with healthy controls. After the operation the T-lymphocytes decreased in the blood to the values found in healthy people. The authors suppose that ANAE positive lymphocytes (corresponding to the T-lymphocytes) which play an important part in the anti-tumour cell defence might be used as a convenient criterion by which this aspect of immune state could be judged. Further experience will prove whether the presence of metastases could thus be assayed.