The cellular response to human colonic neoplasms: macrophage numbers.

Tumour cells and macrophages are thought to interact and the behaviour of tumours may be modified by macrophage activity. Using an immuno-histochemical method for the demonstration of lysozyme and a computerised image analysis system, the number of macrophages was assessed in and around tubulovillous adenomas and the different Dukes grades of adenocarcinomas of the colon. No significant differences were demonstrated and it is concluded that the behaviour of these neoplasms is not related to the number of associated macrophages.