NK cell density in malignant skin tumours—a stereological study

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Abstract
We determined the density nf natural killer (NK) cells in frozen sections of malignant melanoma (nine cases), squamous cell carcinoma (six cases) and non‐neoplastic tonsil (five cases) by immunohistologicaland stereological methods. The mean density of NK cells in malignant melanoma (5·0 ± 1·5 ± 103/mm3) and in squamous cell carcinoma (5·1 ± 2·7 ± 103/mm3) was significantly lower than in germinal centres of normal human tonsils (5·0 ± 0·8 ± 104/mm3). The NK cell/tumour cell ratio (0·03 ± 0·015 in malignant melanoma and 0·02 ± 0·015 in squamous cell carcinoma) is 102‐104 times lower than that commonly used for in vitro assays. The possible role of NK cells in malignant skin tumours should be viewed with caution.