[Skin sensitization of costus root oil and peripheral lymphocyte count in gastric and colon cancers].

Costus root oil is a new primary sensitizer to examine the delayed, cell-mediated immune system. The peripheral blood lymphocyte count has been measured in 68 cases of carcinoma of the stomach and colon. The count has been correlated with the stage of tumor spread and the patient's delayed hypersensitivity response to costus root oil. A statistically significant correlation was found between the peripheral blood lymphocyte count and the response to costus root oil. Patients with low peripheral blood lymphocyte counts tended to have more advanced tumors and a poor response to costus root oil.