Cell-mediated immunity in adenocarcinoma of the colo-rectum

Leukocyte migration inhibition assays were compared in patients with colo-rectal cancer treated by resection and by electrocoagulation. Patients treated by electrocoagulation had identical leukocyte migration inhibition assays before and after treatment. Patients treated by resection were less reactive after treatment, presumably because of peri-operative immunosuppression. This suggests that electrocoagulation may stimulate host immunity in the period immediately following surgery.