Peri- and intratumoral T and B lymphocytic infiltration in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate peritumoral and intratumoral infiltrates in surgical specimens obtained from patients with invasive breast cancer, and of relating these to tumor size. METHODS: Twenty-six surgical specimens obtained from patients diagnosed with breast cancer underwent immunohistochemical preparation and CD3, CD8, CD20 and CD68 labeling. The positive cells were counted in the tissue samples and correlated with the tumor size determined by imaging methods (TIA < or = 2 or TIB > 2 cm). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in intratumoral B lymphocytes (CD20+), although this reduction could only be observed in TIA. In relation to peritumoral T lymphocytes (CD3+), there was a significant reduction in TIB, in comparison with TIA. Peritumoral and intratumoral CD3+ and CD68+ presence in completely opposite ways in both sizes of tumors. CONCLUSION: Peritumoral and intratumoral infiltrates of T and B lymphocytes are different and depend on tumor size.