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Effects of Operation and Radiotherapy

John A. McCredie, MCh, FRCS; W. Roger Inch, PhD; Robert M. Sutherland, PhD

AMA Arch Surg. 1973;107(2):162-165.

Abstract
The operation of radical mastectomy in patients with carcinoma of the breast increased the number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood while radiotherapy caused a decrease for at least six months. The DNA synthesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes cultured with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was not significantly changed by operation but was increased for six months by local radiotherapy. The results, therefore, suggest that operation increased and local radiotherapy had little effect on the number of thymic-dependent lymphocytes (T-cells). Prognosis was not related to the lymphocyte count nor to the response of lymphocytes to PHA before or after treatment. The T-cells, within the range of observed values, were, therefore, probably not important in determining the prognosis in patients with carcinoma of the breast.

Author Affiliations
London, Ontario

From the departments of surgery and therapeutic radiology (Dr. McCredie), University of Western Ontario; and the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, London Clinic, London, Ontario (Drs. Inch and Sutherland).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 30, 1973.

Read before the 30th annual meeting of the Central Surgical Association, Toronto, Feb 22, 1973.

Reprint requests to Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, London Clinic, Radiobiology Section, Victoria Hospital, London N6A 4G5, Ontario (Dr. McCredie).

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