[The relationship between the number of S-100 protein positive cells in the regional lymph nodes of cardial carcinoma and the prognosis].

S-100 protein positive cells in the regional lymph nodes (LN) of cardial carcinoma were demonstrated with PAP method in 33 cases, and the number of positive cells were counted. The status of immune reaction combined with the number of positive cell in the LN and follow-up results were analysed. The results were as follows: 1. The average number (7.3) of S-100 protein positive cells in the group of deaths was significantly higher than that in the survival group (3.3). 2. The status of immune reaction of LN in the group of deaths was inactive or depressed, but in the survival group it was active. 3. In the group of deaths, 50% of detected LN harbored metastasis, but only 9.4% in the survival group had metastasis. 4. There was no difference in the positive cell numbers between the LN with and LN without metastasis in the group of deaths. It is considered that the number of S-100 protein positive cells is one of the criteria which is more important than carcinoma metastasis in judging the prognosis.