The prognostic significance of dhs skin tests in patients with carcinoma of bronchus

Abstract

DHS skin tests to Old tuberculin, mumps, and Candida have been performed on diagnosis and 1 and 6 months later in 31 consecutive male cases of bronchial carcinoma. Length of survival was directly correlated with the strength of skin test response on diagnosis. All long-term survivors were positive to both Candida and Old tuberculin. Correlation between general condition and strength of skin test response was present on diagnosis but not in patients alive and tested 6 months later. The results suggest that both symptom pattern before diagnosis (primary, systemic, metastatic) and general condition on diagnosis are dependent on the immune status as demonstrated by the skin tests.