PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF TUMOR-INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES (TILS) IN COLORECTAL-CANCER

Clinical follow-up data of 276 colorectal adenocarcinoma patients trea ted in Kuopio University Hospital between 1976 and 1986 and followed u p for a mean of 14 years were analysed. The clinical findings were cor related with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and with histologi cal and quantitative factors including nuclear parameters and volume-c orrected mitotic index. In univariate survival analysis, TNM classific ation, Dukes' stage, histological grade, and TILs were significant pre dictors of survival. TNM classification, Dukes' stage, and TILs also p redicted recurrence-free survival. In multivariate analysis, TILs were an independent prognostic factor of survival in all cases, as well as in patients with T1-4N0-3M0 and T1-4N1-3M1. TILs also independently p redicted recurrence-free survival. TILs can pro,ide important prognost ic information in colorectal cancer to be used in evaluating for adjuv ant therapy in different tumour stages. (C) 1997 by John Whey & Sons, Ltd.