Mast cell numbers in lymphnode lesions.

Mast cells were counted in 50 axillary lymphnodes draining breast carcinoma and 50 other lymphnodes from various sites with different histological lesions. All the lymphnodes, except those with tuberculous lymphadenitis were associated with increase in the number of mast cells. Highest number of mast cells (mean 172.80/mm2) were found in filarial lymphadenitis and lowest in tuberculous lymphadenitis (mean 8.87/mm2). In the axillary lymphnodes draining breast carcinoma, higher mast cell count was observed in reactive nodes. As these lymphnodes showed micro-metastasis the mast cells gradually decreased in number, and with extensive metastasis only few mast cells were seen. On comparison, the reactive lymphnodes draining breast carcinoma and other reactive nodes, the latter were associated with more mast cells.