Evaluation of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in core needle biopsies and resected specimens of breast carcinoma

Abstract

Results: The mean value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in 34 cases was 27.03% in core needle biopsies and 34.6% in surgically resected specimens. High tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes score was seen in 8 (23.6%) and 11 (32.4%) cases and low to intermediate score was seen in 26 (76.4%) cases and 23 (67.6%) in core needle biopsies and surgically resected specimens respectively. Intermediate and high tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes categories in core needle biopsies accounted for good agreement with surgically resected specimens (60%-intermediate, 87.5 %-high). More than three cores had a better agreement.