[Peripheral T-lymphocytes and delayed hypersensitivity in surgically and radiologically treated patients with early stages of larynx-carcinoma].

122 patients with squamous-cell-carcinoma of the larynx (T1-stage) were examined after surgical or radiological treatment. None of these patients showed evidence of tumor recurrence. Peripheral T-lymphocytes and delayed hypersensitivity were studied in all these patients. According to their treatment, the patients were allotted into three groups and compared with a control group, consisting of 20 patients with nonneoplastic head- and neck-disease. The main finding was a significant decrease in the peripheral T-lymphocytes in surgically- or radiologically-treated patients with a squamous-cell-carcinoma of the larynx (T1-stage). This reduction of T-cells must be interpreted as a congenital or acquired defect of the immunocompetent system. In about half of the control cases the DNCB-tests showed no evidence of delayed hypersensitivity. In view of these results and those reported in the literature, the test should be used critically. In contrast to our earlier findings, where patients received radiotherapy over large areas including big vessels, radiation over a smaller, localised area does not lead to a significant depression of peripheral T-lymphocytes.