title: Lymphocyte response in patients with head and neck cancer: effect of clinical stage and radiotherapy.
abstract: Ffty-three patients with head and neck cancer tested before radiation treatment to determine numbers of blood lymphocytes and immunologic responses to mitogens of lymphocytes in whole-blood cultures had mean values that were 19% to 26% less than values for healthy individuals. Thirty patients whose disease was in stages III or IV had values similar to those in 23 patients whose disease was in stages I or II. Values for 45 patients tested at end of radiotherapy decreased to about 50% of pretreatment values; however, patients with advanced lesions experienced greater decreases (to 24% to 50%) than patients with localized lesions (to 71% to 84%). Patients with advanced lesions usually received radiation to larger areas than patients with localized lesions; therefore, the extent of decline in laboratory values was most likely dependent on volume of tissue treated.
mesh_terms: D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000276:immunology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D006918:Hydroxyurea