[Immunofluorescence of oral swabs--a new method for early recognition of recurrencies in patients with tonsillar carcinoma? (author's transl)].

Sera of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil contain antibodies of IgG type, which seem to be directed against individual specific and group specific tumour cell surface antigen. Such antibodies which react with antigen on tumour cells of operation speciems also also mark cells from oral swabs, which are supposed to be of malignant origine. This suggestion is supported by the observation, that 3-6 months after the first positive findings recurrancy occurs. Therefore this method would be a simple, non invasive possibility for early detection of recurrancy in patient with tonsillar carcinoma and thus be of prognostic and diagnostic value.