Granulocyte colony stimulating factor producing tongue carcinoma

Background. Leukocytosis without infection in patients with malignancies is known as the leukemoid reaction. The mechanisms involved in this phenomenon remain uncertain. Methods. We describe the clinical, biochemical and immunohistochemical findings in a patient with recurrent tongue carcinoma accompanied by marked leukocytosis as high as 96200 / mm(3). Results. The serum granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentration was increased to 204 (normal: < 30) pg/ml, which paralleled to the elevation of white blood cell (WBC) count and the tumor growth. The G-CSF content of the tumor tissue was also elevated (131 pg/mg protein) compared to that in control patients (6.63+/-2.63 pg/mg protein). Production of G-CSF from the tumor was evidenced by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody against human recombinant G-CSF. Conclusions. We suggest that the G-CSF production of the tumor participates in the mechanisms of the leukemoid reaction. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.