[Modified radical mastectomy and lymphocyte subsets of regional lymph nodes]

Whether or not regional lymph nodes in tumor-bearing hosts possess special immunological properties, still remains an important problem in the management of breast cancer. Regional lymph node cells from 22 patients with breast cancer were immunologically studied using monoclonal antibodies, OKT-3, 4, 8, OK-M 1, Leu-7, and laser flow cytometry. Among these patients, 13 early cancer patients underwent modified radical mastectomy (Auchincloss operation or Patey operation) and 9 underwent standard radical mastectomy (resection of breast, pectoralis major muscle and axillary dissection). More helper T lymphocytes defined by OKT-4 were found in regional lymph nodes in modified radical mastectomy patients in comparison with standard radical mastectomy patients. In patients given the modified operations, NK activity defined by OK-M 1 or Leu-7 were significantly increased, especially in lateral axillary lymph nodes. Also, OK-M 1 lymphocytes and Leu-7 lymphocytes were increased in lymph nodes without metastasis rather than those with metastasis. These findings suggest that regional lymph nodes may have defence mechanisms against the spread of tumor cells in early cancer patients.