The prognostic value of T-lymphocyte levels in malignant melanoma. A five-year follow-up

Cancer. 1983 Nov 15;52(10):1841-8. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19831115)52:10<1841::aid-cncr2820521014>3.0.co;2-n.

Abstract

Serial immunologic tests (active E-rosettes = T-Ea; total E-rosettes = T-Et; total lymphocytes and null cells) were performed every 3 months for 5 years on 113 melanoma patients. A significant reduction in absolute T-Ea, T-Et, null cells, and total lymphocytes was noted in the patients who died, by comparison with those who are still alive. The latter presented a significant reduction in absolute T-Et only, plus a significant increase in null cells when compared with normals. The 38 patients without metastases, at the end of the study, presented a reduction in T-Et and an increase in null cells compared with the normals, while the 75 patients with metastases presented a reduction in T-Et, null cells and total lymphocytes when compared with the patients without metastases and a reduction in T-Ea, T-Et, and total lymphocytes when compared with the normals. Null cells show a linear decrease in patients who died and a linear increase in those who survived. A total of 80.2% of patients with a fall in T-Et displayed metastases usually within 2 to 10 months (mean, 6.8). Patients with normal T-Ea, T-Et, and total lymphocyte values showed a significant prolonged survival when compared to those with lower values. In addition, survival seemed to be always a function of immunologic test values, irrespective of the tumor site.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocytes, Null
  • Male
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Melanoma / mortality
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prognosis
  • Rosette Formation
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / mortality
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*