[Immunological study in cancer of the breast]

Between 1970 and 1972, 200 patients with breast carcinomas treated by irradiation underwent immunological work up. This study was carried out before and after treatment, than at three, six and twelve months later. Immune responses were found to confine to normal at the time of treatment wether the lesions be small or large, and the doubling time short or long. Irradiation has a clear cut depressing effect on the delayed hypersensitivity skin tests and on the level of the circulating lymphocytes while the lymphoblastic transformation tests are not modified. Usually four months to more than one year are necessary for the tests to return at normal after irradiation. At the present time, this study cannot conclude on the prognostic value of these patients immune responses.