One of the most plastic cells of the hematopoietic system that are located in almost all tissues is the macrophages. They exhibit a great deal of functional diversity. Apart of having distinctive roles in development, homeostasis, tissue repair, and immunity, they can be can be subverted by chronic insults, resulting in a causal association of macrophages with disease states. In this review, we highlight the pathophysiological role of macrophages in the normal development process and various pathologic conditions including pre-malignancies and malignant neoplasm. This pathogenesis can help in throwing light on the use of these macrophages as therapeutic targets for treatment.
Key words: Carcinoma, Lichen planus, Macrophages