title: Relation between natural killer cells and neoplastic cells in serous fluids.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are capable of lysing certain tumor cells in vitro. We investigated whether the percentage of NK cells (NK%) in serous effusions has any relation with the presence of malignant cells. Fresh effusions were routinely processed, and a portion of them was submitted for lymphocyte immunophenotyping, using a flow cytometer. Fifty-one fluids (15 peritoneal, 36 pleural), from 47 patients were analyzed. Thirty-two cases were negative and 19 were positive for neoplastic cells: there were 13 adenocarcinomas, 2 malignant mesotheliomas (MM), 3 malignant lymphomas (ML), and 1 rhabdomyosarcoma (R). Negative cases showed an average NK% of 5.09% (1-16%). Effusions positive for adenocarcinoma had an average NK% of 22.08% (12-33%) (P < 0.001). MM, ML, and R had a low NK%, with an average of 3.01% (0-5%). Investigation of the NK% could be useful in cytologically doubtful cases and in the differential diagnosis between MM and adenocarcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Service of Pathology, Center for Medical Education and Clinical Investigation, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Laurini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellotti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rescia
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000473:pathology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology*; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000473:pathology