Abstract

We examined some parameters for humoral and cellular immunity in 34 women with breast cancer. Immunologic status of 25 operable and 9 inoperable patients with breast cancer was compared. Affects of radical mastectomy and modified radical mastectomy on immune status of patients were also compared. The results were similar in operable and inoperable patients with breast cancer. There was no significant difference in terms of delayed skin hypersensitivity reaction to antigens, lymphocytes and Immunglobulin (Ig) G, A and M levels in both groups (p>0.05). We determined that mastectomy did not cause a meaningful decrease in immune responses. As a result it can be put forward that delayed skin hypersensitivity reactions to bacterial and fungal antigens, lymphocyte count in peripheric blood and serum Ig levels do not reflect the immune status in patients with breast cancer.