Prognostic significance of the regional lymph node histology in cancer of the breast

Histologic material from 277 cases of breast carcinoma was studied with particular emphasis on the morphology of the regional lymph nodes. Five-year survival data were available in all cases, and 10-year survival data in 158 cases. As described in a previous study, the regional lymph nodes were classified in four histologic patterns designated “lymphocyte predominance,” “germinal center predominance,” “lymphocyte depletion,” and “unstimulated.” Correlation of the histologic pattern with the survival data demonstrated that lymphocyte predominance was common in cases with high survival rate, lymphocyte depletion was common in cases with low survival rate, and germinal center and unstimulated pattern had an intermediate prognosis. The relationship of these patterns to immune responses and cancer prognosis is discussed.