An Assessment of Multiple Delayed Hypersensitive Skin Tests in Patients with Lung Cancer

Skin Test Index (STI)

Abstract

Ninety seven cases of patients with lung cancer were examined with 4 types of delayed hypersensitive skin tests (PPD, PHA, Candida and SK-SD), and their nutritional status was evaluated by hemoglobulin, lymphocyte, serum albumin and ratio of weight to height before operation. The Skin Test Index was calculated by the following equation: STI= logDT + logDP + logDC + logDS -0.4/ 4 (DT, DP, DC, DS: mean diameter of PPD, PHA, Candida and SK-SD).
1. STI was significantly depressed in T₃ and N₂ cases.
2. STI was significantly depressed in patients with non-curative operation.
3. Nutritional status was significantly depressed in cases with an STI lower than 1.0.
4. The majority of cases with an STI of 1.0 or higher survived 2 years or more.