Prognostic significance of skin reactivity in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma grouped according to the TNM classification.

Untreated patients with bronchogenic carcinoma of the epidermoid type showed a marked depression of cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reactions to DNCB, PPD and Varidase. As compared to a control group of healthy individuals and to a control group of patients with non-malignant chest diseases, 46% of cases responded to the DNCB skin test, 56% to the PPD skin test and 39% to the Varidase skin test. The patients were subsequently divided according to the TNM classification in stage I, II and III groups. Correlation of the skin test positivity to the stage of the disease and to the survival of patients was followed.