506 TO STUDY THE CLINICAL IMPACT AND PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF TUMOR INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES IN ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
Abstract Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of death due to cancer worldwide, of which Esophageal Squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most prevalent type. The presence of Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in a tumour indicates a good prognosis of the cancer following immunotherapy. Numeral immunological inhibitors have been developed to treat a variety of cancers, however the role of TILs in ESCC has not been substantiated with proper evidence. Methods The study enrolled 27 patients of ESCC between the years 2014–2019.The evaluation was based on the criteria laid down by the International TILs Working Group 2014 (recorded in percentage based on the area of stromal compartment invaded by the mononuclear inflammatory cells). Scoring was done in 400x field as follows: Score 0- No infiltrating lymphocytes. Score 1- Mild increase in infiltrating lymphocytes in the tumour nest or stroma. Score 2- Increase in infiltrating lymphocytes interwoven with the tumour tissue. Score 3- Prominent infiltrating lymphocytes incorporated in the tumour tissue. Results A total of 27 cases were studied, of which 17 were males (63%) and 10 were females (37%). The commonest age group was 60–70 years (12 cases- 44.4%). 22 cases had tumours sized between 3-7 cm (81.4%). pT1–1 case (0.03%). pT2–10 cases (37.03%). pT3–16 cases (59.25%). TILs were further scored based on the standard scoring system, and the results were as follows: Score 0 in 3 cases (11.11%). Score 1 in 14 cases (51.8%). Score 2 in 4 cases (14.8%). Score 3 in 6 cases (22.22%). Conclusion In conclusion, the commonest score of 1 was seen in 51.8% of the cases and that of score 3 was seen in 22.22% of the cases. Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes can hence serve as a predictor for good prognosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma following surgery or radiotherapy/chemotherapy.