Effect of Plasmapheresis on Advanced Malignant Tumor of the Head and Neck

Abstract

The effect of the plasmapheresis using an IBM blood cell separator was evaluated in 5 patients. Three patients with malignant tumor of head and neck were histologically diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and malignant melanoma, the remaining 2 patients had Wegener's granulomatosis.
After plasmapheresis, the improvement of performance status was observed in 4 patients, and all patients showed a remarkable reduction of serous immunosuppressive factors. However, these effects were transient and diminished soon after the treatment.
To maintain the condition improved by the plasmapheresis, other immunochemotherapies should also be given.