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Introduction: The early detection and right monitoring of the laryngeal cancer make a better chance of recovery. Therefore factors that might be showing the presence of neoplastic process are constantly being looked for. The detection of correlation between incidence of cancer and immunity system disorders makes us look for and try to answer an important question: are there any factors that might be cancer markers in immunity system? Cytokines are molecules that regulate the process of differentiation and proliferation. They are also the mediators of immunological and inflammatory reactions. Interleukina-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that has various important functions stimulating immunity processes. IL-10 is a factor stimulating killer cells/cytoxic lymphocytes/ and is able to kill cancer cells growth spontaneously. It has been detected that some cancer cells can produce some IL-10, too. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum level concentration of IL-10 in the laryngeal cancer patients before any medical treatment and its denotation after surgery or radiotherapy., Material and Methods: A group of 43 male patients with laryngeal cancer was considered for the purpose of this study. 22 patients were treated by surgery and 21 by radiotherapy. In all the cases the serum concentration of IL-10 before the treatment, in the first and 30th days after therapy was evaluated. The results were compared with the group of 20 healthy volunteers., Results: The mean value of IL-10 concentration in laryngeal cancer patients treated by surgery was 14.0 pg/ml before treatment, 12.8 pg/ml in the 1 day and 14.4 pg/ml 30 days after the therapy. IL-10 concentrations in patients treated by radiotherapy were respectively: 15.4, 14.4 and 15.9 pg/ml. The mean value of IL-10 in the control group was 4.9 pg/ml. The serum concentrations of IL-10 in the laryngeal cancer patients were significantly higher than in the control group. These IL-10 concentrations didn't change significantly after the surgery or radiotherapy., Conclusion: The serum concentration of IL-10 in the laryngeal cancer patients is significantly higher than in the healthy control group. The changes of serum concentrations after the surgery or radiotherapy of laryngeal cancer patients are not significant and characteristic.

Introduction: Cytokines are molecules that regulate the process of differentiation and proliferation. They are also the mediators of immunological and inflammatory reactions. One of the cytokines that participates in immunological processes is interleukine-2 (IL-2), whose participation in neoplastic processes has been proved in many researches. It's anticancer effect is an indirect one and is connected with stimulating processes of immunologically competent cells, which are cytotoxic for cancer cells. IL-2 is produced by T-helper lymphocytes (THL), and on the basis of feedback it stimulates those lymphocytes to new cells and other cytokines, which stimulate next immunity cells or kill the cancer cells, production. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum level concentration of IL-2 in the laryngeal cancer patients before any medical treatment and its denotation after the surgical procedure., Material and Methods: A group of 22 male patients with laryngeal cancer was considered for the purpose of this study. All of them were treated by surgery. In all the cases the serum concentration of IL-2 before the treatment, in the first and 30th day after therapy was evaluated. The results were compared with the group of 20 healthy volunteers., Results: The mean value of IL-2 concentration in laryngeal cancer patients treated by surgery was 23.4 pg/ml before treatment, increased to 37.8 pg/ml in the 1 day and to 54.3 pg/ml 30 days after the therapy. The serum concentrations of IL-2 in the laryngeal cancer patients were lower than in the control group before the surgical treatment. These IL-2 concentrations increased significantly after the surgery and 1 month after the treatment were higher than in the healthy population., Conclusion: The serum concentration of IL-2 in the laryngeal cancer patients treated by surgery is lower than in the healthy control group. IL-2 increased significantly after the surgery to higher levels than in the control healthy group.

The adequate activity of SOD, GPX and GR is a significant factor in oxidoreductation homeostasis maintaining. The attempt was made to estimate SOD, GPX, GR activity in full blood of 14 male patients suffering from laryngeal cancer (T2N0M0-T4N2M0). The studies were made before and in 8 and 16 week after the operation using RANDOX Company tests. The analysis of results proved that there were remarkable disorders of GR activity in comparison to a control group.

The authors present estimation of beta 2-microglobulin concentration in blood serum in patients suffering from laryngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy in the course of treatment and 3 years after. The initial concentration of beta 2-microglobulin in the blood serum was statistically significantly higher in comparison with the control group. A significantly higher initial concentration of beta 2-microglobulin was observed in the group of patients with the recurrence of cancer in relation to the group of patients without the recurrence of cancer both immediately and 3 years after radiotherapy.

The authors present a case of laryngeal carcinoma with rare metastasis to the occipital bone.

The authors present a very rare case of laryngeal mucoepidermoid cancer. Well separated and encysted tumor was totaly removed with Kleinsasser method.

The authors have presented the results of studies concerning the changes of chemical composition and ultrastructure of tissue microregions at patients with laryngeal precancerous states. Microanalytical studies were made using X-ray JEOL JSM 35 microprobe analyser. The chemical composition of laryngeal precancerous tissue taken from the patients and a control group was estimated. The results of studies were verified using X-ray PHILIPS XL-30 microanalyser. Studies of tissue ultrastructure changes were conducted using JOEL JEM 100 XC transmission microscope. Some heavy metals like, lead, cadmium, nickel, iron, copper and caesium were found in the tissue from larynx precancerous state. Further more, in analysed biologic material there were noticed various degenerative changes within stratified squamous epithelium.

The increased level of ferritin is known as a nonspecific marker of inflammatory processes and neoplasms. A purpose of the article was to indicate concentration of ferritin in blood serum before treatment of 33 patients with cancer of larynx and 16 patients with malignant neoplasms of maxillo-ethmoid complex. The patients with cancer of larynx were characterized by significantly high level of ferritin in comparison to patients with malignant neoplasms of maxillo-ethmoid complex (p < 0.05) and to healthy people (p < 0.05) (respectively 241.9 +/- 154.9; 106.9 +/- 45.4 and 125.0 +/- 30.4 ng/ml). Contrary to patients with cancer of larynx patients with malignant neoplasms of maxillo-ethmoid complex did not differ in significant level of ferritin from healthy people. The concentration of hemoglobin in blood in both groups of patients was similar and was characteristically lower than values obtained in healthy people. The results achieved suggest that indicating of ferritin can be helpful while making a differentiation between cancer of larynx and malignant neoplasms of maxillo-ethmoid complex.

The authors presented the results of chemical compounds in the laryngeal cancer tissue in 20 patients with clinically and histologically confirmed plano-epithelial carcinoma using own modification of x-ray microanalysis method. Comparison between the healthy and neoplasmatic tissue showed as follows: 1) both healthy and neoplasmatic tissue showed the presence of Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti; 2) the neoplasmatic tissue showed the presence of Pb whereas it was not observed in the healthy tissue; 3) both Pb and Cl were irregularly concentrated in the neoplasmatic tissue while in the healthy tissue showed regular concentration. The authors discuss some methodological aspects and try to interpret the obtained data in the view of toxic, mutagenous and carcinogenous role of the Pb.

Using own modification of X-ray microanalysis method the authors evaluated the lead, chlorine, and sulfur content in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in 20 patients with laryngeal carcinoma in comparison with 20 healthy subjects of the control group. In patients with advanced clinical stages of that carcinoma the elevated lead and chlorine content has been stated in above cells whereas that of sulfur was decreased. According to the authors' opinion above changes reflect functional disturbances of lymphocytes in the patient with laryngeal carcinoma related to the decreased detoxicative properties, the intracellular electrolyte imbalance, and the enzymatic machinery alterations within that cells.

Activity of beta-glucuronidase (GR) and acid phosphatase (AP) has been determined in peripheral blood neutrophils from 24 men with precancerous states of the larynx that is leukoplakia papillomas and pachydermia by means cytochemical methods described by Hayashi et al., and Barka and Anderson, respectively. The results obtained were expressed in terms of absolute counts of enzyme-positive and enzyme-negative cells with regard to enzyme activity variation within the enzyme-positive neutrophil population; the enzyme activity index score has been calculated. The control group consisted of 20 healthy subjects of the same sex. No significant alterations were found so far as AP activity is concerned between the group studied. In contrast, activity of GR in patients with precancerous states exhibited significant lowering. The most striking feature was in almost complete absence from the blood of GR-positive neutrophils with high activity of the enzyme. Majority of these cells showed only traces of the GR activity. According to authors opinion the deficiency of GR in neutrophils of patients with precancerous lesions pertains to problem of neutrophil-mediated cytotoxic effect against mammalian tumour cells.

In 20 men, aged 35 to 55 years, with untreated cancer of the larynx activity of lysosomal acid phosphatase (AP), beta-glucuronidase (GR) and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase was determined cytochemically in peripheral blood lymphocytes and neutrophils by means of Barka and Anderson, Hayashi et al. and Hayashi's method, respectively; the results obtained were compared with those in 20 healthy men aged 20 to 30 years. Total count of GR-positive lymphocytes was higher in the patients than in normal persons. Total counts of AP-, GR-, and GS-positive lymphocytes with not disrupted enzyme-positive lysosomal granules within the cell cytoplasm were significantly lower and total counts of cells exhibiting the disruption of lysosomal granules and the diffuse type of cytochemical reaction were significantly higher in the patients when compared with the control group. The response of neutrophils consisted of a significant elevation in numbers of AP-, and GS-positive cells; overall score of enzyme activity studied in neutrophils was not altered in the patients. The authors disucss the significance of their observations in the light of data on participation of lymphocytic and neutrophilic lysosomal apparatus in the immunological response against tumour specific antigen in patients with cancer.

Cytochemical investigations performed in 24 men with precancerous states of the larynx, i.e. leukoplakia, papillomas and pachydermia, indicated that the peripheral blood neutrophils from these patients exhibit a significant intracellular deficiency of beta-glucuronidase activity and of total lipids, as well as an increased alkaline phosphatase activity. Acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activities did not differ significantly between patients and normal controls. In the authors' opinion, the neutrophil beta-glucuronidase deficiency might be a specific disturbance of neutrophils in the precancerous states and the cancer of the larynx. The possible significance of this disturbance and the subsequent decrease of antitumor immune reactivity are discussed.

Thirty male patients ranging in age from 40 to 70 years, investigated 6--9 years after radiotherapy for cancer of the larynx, showed various alterations of the lysosomal apparatus of peripheral blood lymphocytes. These changes, consisting of diffusion of the lysosomal enzymes within the cytoplasm and disappearance of normal lysosomal granules, were related to a greater extent to the beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase positive-lysosomes than to the acid phosphatase-positive ones. Determination of the enzymatic activities was achieved by cytochemical techniques. The increased immunological reactivity of the patients was reflected in the frequently elevated immunoglobulin levels, particularly that of IgA, in the serum and an increase of the enzyme-positive lymphocyte count in the blood.

Serum vitamin A concentrations were measured in 22 patients with laryngeal cancer and found to be significantly lower than those of patients of similar age with either nonmalignant laryngeal or other than laryngeal diseases. The levels of vitamin A in the patients with laryngeal cancer, but not in the controls, significantly correlated with serum concentrations of retinol-binding protein (RBP) and zinc. It is suggested that low levels of zinc might reduce the synthesis of RBP and thus reduce the mobilization of vitamin A from the liver stores.

In 20 laryngeal cancer patients and in 20 normals 1927 and 1950 respectively the blood lymphocytes were examined by use of scan microscopy. The great differences were disclosed between the patients and normals. It was pointed out the considerable differences between patients and normals in the number of lymphocytes with plain surface (lymphocytes "G") in opposition to the intermediary and ciliated lymphocytes (differences statistically significant). In laryngeal cancer patients there were the significantly lower number of lymphocytes with ciliated surface (lymphocytes "Sz"). In the patient group there were the considerable differences in superficial structure of lymphocytes, probably as a response to cancer disease.

In 30 patients with cancer of the larynx, aged 40 to 70 years, treated by radiotherapy 6 to 9 years ago the decreased activity of neutrophil beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase accompanied by a decrease of absolute count of enzyme-positive cells was noted. Numbers of acid phosphatase-positive neutrophils were also decreased. Moderate increase of the neutrophil alkaline phosphatase activity and of numbers of enzyme-positive cells was another observed feature. The main finding in lymphocytes of the patients consisted in the appearance of cells exhibiting diffusion of lysosomal enzymes, especially of beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and to a lesser degree of acid phosphatase into the cell cytoplasm. Moderate increase of immunoglobulin level, especially that of IgA, reflected probably the immunologic mobilization of patients.

In patients with precancerous states and cancer of the larynx prior to and after radiotherapy exhibit the decreased activity of neutrophil beta-glucuronidase. Moreover patients treated by radiotherapy before the age of 6 to 9 years demonstrate deficiency of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in the above cells. The main finding in lymphocytes of the patients studied was in the appearance by diffusion of the above enzymes and of acid phosphatase in the cytoplasm, reflecting their release from lysosomes and immunological mobilization of these cells. The authors discuss the possible role of neutrophil enzymatic deficiency in lowering the antitumour cytotoxic effect of these cells.

The X-ray microanalysis method for investigation of chemical composition, mainly trace elements, of normal and pathologic human peripheral blood lymphocytes has been presented. The method in question consists of two stages. During the first stage the scanning electron microscope with the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer has been used. The second stage of the method consisted of employing the above microscope with the microwave dispersive spectrometer. The method enables the short-term determination of the various elements content within the lymphocytes with particular insight into the content of elements in a single cell. The preliminary investigations showed significant differences in the content of chlorine, sulfur and lead in normal human lymphocytes and that from patients with cancer of the larynx.

Activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, and acid phosphatase and myeloperoxidase was determined in neutrophils and lymphocytes of patients with cancer of the larynx and precancerous states of the larynx as well as--for comparative reasons--in patients with malignant tumors of female generation organs, breast carcinoma, cancer of the stomach and endometriosis. The main result of investigations performed was in fact that intracellular deficiency of beta-glucuronidase within the neutrophils characterizes patients with cancer and precancerous states of the larynx. Patients with cancer of the larynx show additionally a deficiency of neutrophil myeloperoxidase. Deficiency of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase occurs, in contrast, in patients with malignancies of female generation organ. Activity of myeloperoxidase in neutrophils from patients with gastric carcinoma is slightly elevated.

The activity of lysosomal acid phosphatase in the peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined by using the method of Barka and Anderson in 20 men with carcinoma of the larynx, untreated. The results were compared with those in 20 healthy subjects. In the patients a statistically significant decrease of the lymphocyte count exhibiting enzyme-positive lysosomal granules was noted but the number of the lymphocytes with granular and diffuse or only diffuse type of cytochemical reaction was significantly increased. The lack of significant differences in the total lymphocyte count between patients and controls suggests the possibility of lysosome disruption and subsequent release of enzymes into the cytoplasm in the patients studied. The anomalies of the enzyme-positive lymphocyte lysosomal equipment are discussed in the light of the data on immunologic alterations in cancer patients, and of those suggesting that acid phosphatase may serve as marker of T cells.

In 20 men, age 35 to 55 years, with cancer of the larynx of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined cytochemically according to Hayashi's method. Numbers of enzyme-positive cells were counted with regard to the type of cytochemical reaction (granular, granular-diffuse, or diffuse), and to the number of enzyme-positive lysosomal granules within a single cell. In comparison to 20 healthy men, age 20 to 30 years, the following changes were noted in the patients: 1) the decrease of the total count of enzyme-negative lymphocytes; 2) the decrease of the total count of lymphocytes with granular type of reaction; 3) the increase of the counts of lymphocytes with granular-diffuse and diffuse type of reaction. The authors suggest that these changes could be related to the immune reaction of specific tumor antigens.

Using the scanning electron microscopic technique the surface structure of the peripheral blood lymphocytes has been studied in 20 men aged 46 to 62 years with the laryngeal carcinoma diagnosed clinically and histopathologically. The control group consisted of 20 healthy men aged 39 to 58 years. According to the international classification 15 of 20 patients studied showed the T3N0M0 stage of the disease and other five the T4N0M0 stage respectively. The peripheral blood lymphocytes of the patients showed significantly greater variability of the surface structure as compared with the controls. The characteristic pattern of the lymphocytes in patients with cancer of the larynx was quantitative increase in numbers of lymphocytes having smooth surface deprived of microvilli and significant decrease of cells exhibiting numerous surface microvilli; these cells may correspond to the T and the B cell series, respectively. Moreover, the patients showed significant, approximately threefold increase in number of lymphocytes having the intermediate surface morphology between above mentioned two basic lymphocyte topographical types. According to the authors opinion above differences between the lymphocytes of patients with cancer of the larynx and those from healthy subjects are associated with the antitumor response of the lymphocytes.

In 24 men aged 32 to 58 years with precancerous states of the larynx, i.e., leukoplakia, papillomas and pachydermia the peripheral blood lymphocytes were cytochemically stained for N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and glycogen; and the neutrophils were stained for alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase and lipids. The results were expressed in terms of the absolute counts of reaction-positive cells and of the activity index score. The serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were also determined by Mancini's method. The results obtained were compared with those in 20 healthy men aged 20 to 30 years. The patients exhibited elevated numbers of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase-positive lymphocytes. A characteristic feature was an increase in the absolute counts of lymphocytes with diffuse and granular-diffuse types of cytochemical reaction for all enzymes studied. The number of cells with the granular type of enzymatic reaction (intact enzyme-positive lysosomes) was significantly diminished. These cytochemical alterations were accompanied by a significant increase in the serum IgA level. These results are discussed with reference to the lymphoid system response to tissues of precancerous lesions of the larynx. So far as the neutrophils are concerned the patients exhibited significant intracellular deficiency of beta-glucuronidase and decrease in the lipid content as well as an elevated alkaline phosphatase activity. The possible significance of the beta-glucuronidase deficiency in neutrophils for the diminished cytotoxic response of these cells against the tumor and precancerous lesion cells is discussed.

In the present paper N-acetyltransferase phenotype has been evaluated in 128 patients with cancer of the larynx. Out of 128 patients, 86.7% were smokers. The corresponding control group consisted of 106 men who did not suffer from neoplastic diseases. 83.6% of the patients were slow acetylators. This is significantly different from the frequency of 60.3% of slow acetylators observed in the control group. The slow acetylators exhibited a greater susceptibility to the cancer of the larynx.

In 24 men with precancerous states of the larynx, i.e. leukoplakia, papillomas and pachydermia, the peripheral blood lymphocytes were cytochemically stained for N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and glycogen (PAS reaction). The results were expressed in terms of the absolute counts of enzyme- (or compound-) positive cells. The serum immunoglobulin IgG, IgA and IgM levels were also determined by Mancini's method. The results obtained were compared with those in 20 healthy men aged 20 to 30 years. It was found that the patients exhibited elevated numbers of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase- and beta-glucuronidase-positive lymphocytes. A characteristic feature was an increase in the absolute counts of lymphocytes with diffuse and granular-diffuse types of cytochemical reaction for all enzymes studied. The number of cells with the granular type of enzymatic reaction (intact enzyme-positive lysosomes) was significantly diminished. These cytochemical alterations were accompanied by a significant increase in the serum IgA level. These results are discussed with reference to the lymphoid system response to tissues with precancerous lesions of the larynx.

In 20 untreated male patients with cancer of the larynx, aged 35 to 55 years, the significant increase in the absolute count of beta-glucuronidase-positive lymphocytes in the peripheral blood was examined by means of the cytochemical method of Hayashi et al. (1964). The increase was due to an elevated absolute count of lymphocytes exhibiting the granular-diffuse and the diffuse enzymatic reaction; no significant changes were observed with regard to lymphocytes with the granular type of reaction. The authors discuss the significance of their observations for the evaluation of lymphocyte immune response against tumour specific antigens in patients with cancer of the larynx.

Lymphocytes from patients with cancer of the larynx have been characterized by the activity of two enzymes involved in purine metabolism--adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase. It has been shown that purine nucleoside phosphorylase activity was 1.5-fold higher in lymphocytes of patients in comparison with a group of healthy individuals. Adenosine deaminase activity in lymphocytes was elevated three to four-fold. The authors suggest that especially the estimation of adenosine deaminase activity in lymphocytes would be a useful laboratory test in the study of immune responsiveness of patients with cancer of the larynx.