A Dutch prospective trial of pre-op partial breast irradiation over 5-10 fractions followed by breast-concerving surgery roughly 6 weeks later reports a pathologic complete response in 8/72 patients (11%). Despite small numbers, it was still apparent these 8 patients had significantly higher degrees of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes on initial core needle biopsy. Comparing diagnostic biopsy and surgical tumor samples did not indicate a significant change in stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as a result of radiation. | Gunster, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2025
