| Abstract: | ![]()
The histologic changes in the white pulp of the spleens collected from thirty women died of widespread adenocarcinoma of the breast were assessed by using the standardized reporting system previously introduced. As a control material, the same number of age-matched women died of myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident without signs of any malignancy was used. Special attention was focused on the evaluation of the lymphocyte populations (T- and B-cells) responsible for immunological reactivity. Histological characteristics suggested to reflect the activity of both the cell-mediated and humoral immune reactions were found to be within normal range in the control patients, whereas in the cancer series both these elements seemed to be profoundly deranged. The significance of these observations was discussed with regard to the background of the previously demonstrated immunological reactivity against the cells of human breast carcinoma, and the conclusion was drawn that an impairment of both the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses must exist in women dying of widespread adenocarcinoma of the breast. The applicability of the standardized reporting system used in the assessment of spleen white pulp morphology was emphasized. |
