Comparison of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte and positron emission tomography/computed tomography values in molecular subtypes of breast cancer

Objective: Breast cancer is being diagnosed at an increasing rate nowadays. The importance of tumor infiltrating lymphostasis has been understood more recently, and in this study, it is aimed to compare 18F-FDG PET/CT values, which is an important metastasis screening technique. Materials and Methods: Patients who were operated for breast cancer in Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Faculty of Medicine General Surgery Clinic between January 2011 and January 2021 were included in our study who met the study criteria. Lymphocytes grouped according to the criteria of the International TIL Study Group and 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax values were analyzed. Results: 3551 patients were examined and 80 patients who met the study criteria were evaluated. The number of HER2 positive patients was 37 (46.25%) and the number of triple negative patients was 43 (53.75%). TILS levels were low in 55 people (68.75%), moderate in 16 (20%) and high in 9 (11.25%). The median tumor size was 2.5 (1.7-3.5). There is a statistically significant positive correlation between size and mass SUVmax values (ρ=0.018<0.05). A 1-unit increase in tumor size produces a 0.263-unit increase in mass SUVmax. No significant correlation was found between TILS values and size, mass SUVmax values. Conclusions: More comprehensive results will be obtained in future studies in the correlation of TIL ratios and SUVmax values, especially in HER2 positive and triple negative breast cancers.