Changes in immune reactivity in cancer patients]

It appears that the long-accepted paradigm that cytostatic and radiation therapy cause only immunosuppression, is not so clearly true. With regard to new knowledge in cancer immunology field, it seems that not only cytostatic and radiation therapy plays an important role in the alteration of immune system. There are many other factors influencing immunity like tumour environment itself, the use of immunomodulatory drugs or even the mental condition of cancer patients. The aim of review is to familiarize physicians with possible alterations of the immune system in cancer patients.