Association of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes with clinicopathological prognostic variables in colorectal carcinoma: A study from South India

Abstract

Introduction: The tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) have a complimentary role alongside TNM assessment in determining the future management in colorectal carcinoma. The present study aimed at evaluating tumour infiltrating lymphocytes at the invasive front of the tumour and to correlate with other known prognostic variables. Methods: A total of 76 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma were selected and TILs were assessed on hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) stained tumour sections based on Klintrup-Makinen (K-M) score; classified cases into high TIL and low TIL groups and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Results: Of the 76 cases, 46 cases (60%) belonged to low TIL group and 30 cases (40%) to high TIL group. Statistical analysis showed that density of TILs at the invasive front of the tumour negatively correlated with grade of differentiation (p=0.02), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.03), nodal involvement (p=0.01) and pathological staging (p=0.02). Conclusion: Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes showed significant association with grade of tumour differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, nodal involvement and stage of tumour.