Characterization and frequency distribution of lymphoreticular infiltrates in axillary lymph node metastases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

Abstract

One hundred and seventy‐five axillary lymph nodes containing metastatic deposits from 46 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast were evaluated histologically and immunohistologically. The study yielded the following results: (1) tumor‐infiltrating lymphoreticular cells preferentially accumulated in the stromal bands; the tumor foci generally showed a considerably lower degree of infiltration; (2) in most cases, monocytes/macrophages (Mono 1+) represented the overwhelming majority of tumor‐infiltrating cells; (3) next in frequency were T‐lymphocytes (Leu‐1+), especially CD4+ lymphocytes (Leu‐3a+), while CD8+ lymphocytes (Leu‐2a+) mostly occurred only in moderate numbers; (4) B‐lymphocytes (To15+), plasma cells, natural killer cells (Leu‐7+), tissue mast cells, and T‐accessory reticulum cells (OKT 6+) were observed mostly in low or very low numbers, while eosinophils were nearly absent and B‐accessory reticulum cells (Ki‐M4+) were totally absent from the lymphoreticular infiltrates. Definite conclusions regarding the functional properties of the tumor‐infiltrating cells cannot be drawn from an immunohistologic analysis in situ alone, but the preferred localization of most tumor‐infiltrating cells in the stroma does not support an intensive interaction between the host defenses and the metastatic tumor. Copyright © 1987 American Cancer Society