Regional lymphadenectomy and tumor immunity
Pendergrast, W.J.; Soloway, M.S.; Myers, G.H.; Futrell, J.W.
Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics 142(3): 385-390
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6087 PMID: 1251321 Document Number: 97249
This study sought to determine if tumor immunity was impaired by regional lymphadenectomy when performed at different stages of tumor growth. Regional lymphadenectomy significantly reduced tumor specific immunity when performed soon after tumor inoculation. However, removal of the regional lymph nodes later but before the tumor was clinically detectable did not affect the development of tumor immunity. Similarly, regional lymphadenectomy after the tumor was palpable did not decrease tumor immunity. Therefore, prior to the time that the tumor is clinically detectable, immunologic sensitization has become a systemic phenomenon and is no longer confined to the regional lymph nodes.