[Functional activity of the regional lymph nodes in breast cancer patients]

The study was concerned with the correlation between the reaction of T- and B-lymphocytes in regional lymph nodes, clinico-morphological pattern of tumor and immunological indexes. Three levels of functional activity of lymph nodes were established in 15,33 and 52% of patients, respectively, after an evaluation of the condition of structural and functional T- and B-dependent areas and the concentrations of T- and B-rosette-forming cells. An inverse correlation was observed between the functional activity of lymph nodes and the clinico-morphological criteria of tumor malignancy. Conversely, a direct correlation was established between cellular reactions in lymph nodes and the indexes of immune response in 52-85.7%. T-population of lymphocytes was shown to be a factor of antitumor defense. The role of lymph nodes in immunologic surveillance and the prognostic value of the said morpho-functional changes are discussed.