A histological study on immune reaction of advanced uterine cervical carcinoma with regard to the effect of a low-dose irradiation and PS-K.

Histopathological studies were carried out to determine whether or not an immunological reaction was involved in the treatment of cervical carcinoma. The following conclusions could be drawn from them. (1) A low-dose irradiation on the primary cancer-nest intensified the interstitial reaction. (2) When PS-K was administered after low-dose irradiation, the interstitial reaction was intensified more remarkably than with irradiation alone. Moreover, it was possible for PS-K administration to restore the responsiveness of lymph nodes which had been inhibited by the irradiation. (3) Some of the observed morphological changes suggested the local occurrence of an immunological reaction. The following findings could be pointed out: (a) In the primary lesion of the uterine cervix, exudative cells consisting mainly of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages formed a barrier-like layer surrounding the cancer-nest. Granuloma accompanied by foreign-body type giant cells were formed in the interstitial tissue. Moreover, lymphoid tissues with a germinal center were formed. (b) In lymph nodes of the region involved, responsiveness was enhanced in the paracortical area, or a germinal center formed with its responsiveness enhanced. (4) There was a correlation between the degree of interstitial reaction of the primary lesion and the survival results of a follow-up survey. There was also a correlation between the degree of enlargement of lymph nodes and the survival results of this survey.