Objective criteria for the grading of venous invasion in colorectal cancer

SOX17 expression in tumor endothelial cells in colorectal cancer and its association with favorable outcomes in patients

The high mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) highlights the need for new treatment strategies; however, the venous invasion mechanisms in tumor endothelial cells within CRC remain unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the clinicopathological features of SRY-box transcription factor 17 (SOX17) in CRC. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 55 CRC tissue specimens using a SOX17-specific antibody, followed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. SOX17 immunoreactivity was detected in the endothelial cells of tumor-penetrating vessels in 35/55 CRC samples. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with SOX17 immunoreactivity had favorable overall and progression-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Notably, tumor endothelial SOX17 immunoreactivity was associated with a favorable prognosis in patients with stage III or IV disease (OS, P = 0.0089; PFS, P = 0.0065). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis indicated that SOX17 immunoreactivity is an independent factor for predicting favorable overall and progression-free survival in CRC (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). The present findings suggest that SOX17 expression in tumor endothelial cells is a potential indicator of favorable prognosis in patients with CRC.

Impact of tissue sampling on detection of venous invasion in colorectal cancer: a prospective analysis

AIMS

Venous invasion (VI) is a powerful yet under-reported prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). Efforts to improve its detection have largely focused upon histological assessment, with less attention paid to tissue-sampling strategies. This study aimed to prospectively determine the number of tumour blocks required to optimise VI detection in CRC resections. In addition, the relationship between linear spiculation (LS) and extramural venous invasion (EMVI) was investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A standardised tissue sampling protocol was developed and applied prospectively to 217 CRC resections [AJCC 8th edition, stage 1 (n = 32); stage 2 (n = 84); stage 3 (n = 87); stage 4 (n = 14); and post-neoadjuvant therapy (n = 46)]. Elastin stains were performed on all tumour blocks. VI was identified in 55% of cases (EMVI = 37%; IMVI alone = 18%). The sensitivity of VI detection increased with increasing numbers of tumour blocks submitted [one block (35%), three blocks (66%), five blocks (84%), six blocks (95%) and seven blocks (97%)]. Similar findings were observed for EMVI [one block (35%), three blocks (73%), five blocks (89%), six blocks (96%) and seven blocks (96%)]. LS was identified macroscopically in 22% of specimens. In cases where no neoadjuvant therapy had been given, EMVI was significantly associated with LS (71% in LS+ cases versus 29% in LS- cases; P < 0.001). In addition, tumour blocks targeting LS were associated with a fivefold higher rate of EMVI compared with blocks that did not (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the impact of tissue sampling and quality of gross examination on VI detection and may inform practices in future CRC protocols.

Pathological determinants of outcome following resection of locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Pathological factors that influence and predict survival following pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced (LARC) or locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC), especially LRRC, remain poorly understood. A clear resection margin has previously been demonstrated to be of most significance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed for all patients undergoing a curative PE for LARC or LRRC between 2008 and 2021 at a tertiary referral UK specialist colorectal hospital. Cox regression analysis was planned to identify pathological factors associated with overall (OS), disease free (DFS) and local recurrence free survival (LRFS).

RESULTS

388 patients were included in the analysis with 256 resections for LARC and 132 for LRRC. 62.4% of patients were male with a median age of 59 years (IQR 49-67). 247 (64%) partial pelvic exenterations and 141 (36%) total pelvic exenterations performed. Overall R0 rate 86.6%. Poorly differentiated tumours and a positive resection margin independently influenced OS, DFS and LRFS on multivariate analysis in LARC. On multivariate analysis venous invasion negatively influenced DFS and poorly differentiated lesions negatively influenced LRFS in LRRC.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive resection margin and poorly differentiated tumours are significant negative prognostic markers for survival and recurrence in LARC. The results of this study support the need to look for alternative prognostic markers beyond that in the existing standard reporting dataset for rectal cancers. With increasing R0 rates, novel prognostic pathological markers are required to help guide treatment and surveillance for patients with LRRC.

Grading criteria for venous invasion in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Venous invasion (VI) is an adverse prognostic indicator in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, grading criteria for venous invasion in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been established.

METHODS

We enrolled 598 thoracic ESCC patients from 2005 to 2017. We detected the presence of venous invasion using the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-staining method and evaluated the VI grade on the basis of the number and maximal size of the involved veins. The degree of VI was classified as either 0, V1, V2, or V3, according to the combination of V-number and V-size.

RESULTS

The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 79.7%, 64.7% and 61.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that lymphatic invasion (HR: 1.457, 95% CI: 1.058-2.006, p = 0.021), T category (HR: 1.457, 95% CI: 1.058-2.006, p = 0.022), N category (HR: 1.535, 95% CI: 1.276-2.846, p < 0.001), stage (HR: 1.563, 95% CI: 1.235-1.976, p < 0.001) and the degree of venous invasion (HR: 1.526, 95% CI: 1.279-2.822, p < 0.001) were significant indicators of recurrence. The disease-free survival curves were distinguished especially well by the degree of venous invasion in stage III and IV patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study explored an objective grading criterion for VI and proved the prognostic value of the degree of venous invasion in ESCC. The classification of venous invasion into 4 groups is useful for the differentiation of prognosis in ESCC patients. The prognostic significance of the degree of VI in advanced ESCC patients for recurrence may have to be considered.

Frequent Intraluminal Growth of Large Muscular Veins in Surgically Resected Colorectal Cancer Tissues: A 3-Dimensional Pathologic Reconstruction Study

Although venous invasion (VI) is common in colorectal cancers (CRCs) and is associated with distant metastasis, the 3-dimensional (3D) microscopic features and associated mechanisms of VI are not well elucidated. To characterize the patterns of VI, 103 tissue slabs were harvested from surgically resected CRCs with ≥pT2. They were cleared using the modified immunolabeling-enabled 3D imaging of solvent-cleared organs method, labeled with multicolor fluorescent antibodies, including antibodies against cytokeratin 19, desmin, CD31, and E-cadherin, and visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. VI was classified as intravasation, intraluminal growth, and/or extravasation, and 2-dimensional and 3D microscopic features were compared. VI was detected more frequently in 3D (56/103 [54.4%]) than in conventional 2-dimensional hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides (33/103 [32%]; P < .001). When VI was present, it was most commonly in the form of intraluminal growth (51/56), followed by extravasation (13/56) and intravasation (5/56). The mean length of intraluminal growth was 334.0 ± 212.4 μm. Neoplastic cell projections extended from cancer cell clusters in the connective tissue surrounding veins, penetrated the smooth muscle layer, and then grew into and filled the venous lumen. E-cadherin expression changed at each invasion phase; intact E-cadherin expression was observed in the cancer cells in the venous walls, but its expression was lost in small clusters of intraluminal neoplastic cells. In addition, reexpression of E-cadherin was observed when cancer cells formed well-oriented tubular structures and accumulated and grew along the luminal side of the venous wall. In contrast, singly scattered cancer cells and cancer cells with poorly defined tubular structures showed loss of E-cadherin expression. E-cadherin expression was intact in the large cohesive clusters of extravasated cancer cells. However, singly scattered cells and smaller projections of neoplastic cells in the stroma outward of venous wall showed a loss of E-cadherin expression. In conclusion, VI was observed in more than half of the CRCs analyzed by 3D histopathologic image reconstruction. Once inside a vein, neoplastic cells can grow intraluminally. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition is not maintained during VI of CRCs.

Risk stratification for predicting postoperative recurrence/metastasis of colorectal cancer by grade of venous invasion coupled with histological subtype

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) consists of several histological subtypes that greatly affect prognosis. Venous invasion (VI) has been implicated in the postoperative recurrence of CRC, but the relationship between the VI grade and postoperative recurrence in each histological subtype has not been clarified thus far.

Methods

A total of 323 CRCs without distant metastasis at surgery (pathologic stage III or lower), including 152 well-to-moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas (WMDAs), 98 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (PDAs), and 64 mucinous adenocarcinomas (MUAs), were analyzed. They were routinely processed pathologically, and VI was graded as follows irrespective of location by elastica van Gieson staining: v0 (none), no venous invasion; v1 (mild), 1–3 invasions per glass slide; v2 (moderate), 4–6 invasions per glass slide; and v3 (severe), ≥ 7 invasions per glass slide. Filling-type invasion in veins with a minor axis of ≥ 1 mm increased the grade by 1. The association of VI grade with prognosis was statistically analyzed.

Results

All recurrences occurred as distant metastases. Recurrence increased with VI grade in WMDA (v0 11.8%, v1 15.8%, v2 73.9%, v3 75.0%) and MUA (v0 15.2%, v1 30.8%, v2 40.0%). The recurrence rate was relatively high in PDA even with v0 and increased with VI grade (v0 27.8%, v1 32.7%, v2 33.3%, v3 60.0%). VI grade was a significant predictor of recurrence in WMDA but not in PDA and MUA by multivariate analysis. In node-negative (stage II or lower) CRC, the recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate exceeded 90% in v0 and v1 WMDA until postoperative day (POD) 2100 and v0 MUA until POD 1600 but fell below 80% in the other settings by POD 1000. In node-positive (stage III) CRC, the RFS rate fell below 80% in all histological subtypes by POD 1000.

Conclusions

VI grade v1 had a similar recurrence rate and RFS as grade v0 and may not warrant adjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative (stage II or lower) WMDA. In addition to node-positive (stage III) CRC, adjuvant chemotherapy may be indicated for node-negative (stage II or lower) CRC when it is WMDA with VI grade v2 or v3, MUA with VI, or PDA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-022-02163-7.

Nomogram for predicting occurrence of synchronous liver metastasis in colorectal cancer: a single-center retrospective study based on pathological factors

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors for synchronous liver metastasis (LM) of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to construct a nomogram for predicting the occurrence of synchronous LM based on baseline and pathological information.

Methods

The baseline and pathological information of 3190 CRC patients were enrolled in the study from the Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 2012 and 2020. All patients were divided into development and validation cohorts with the 1:1 ratio. The characters of LM and none-LM patients in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer were utilized to explore the risk factors for synchronous LM with the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A predictive nomogram was constructed by using an R tool. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was calculated to describe the discriminability of the nomogram. A calibration curve was plotted to compare the predicted and observed results of the nomogram. Decision-making curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical effect of nomogram.

Results

The nomogram consisted of six features including tumor site, vascular invasion (VI), T stage, N stage, preoperative CEA, and CA-199 level. ROC curves for the LM nomogram indicated good discrimination in the development (AUC = 0.885, 95% CI 0.854–0.916) and validation cohort (AUC = 0.857, 95% CI 0.821–0.893). The calibration curve showed that the prediction results of the nomogram were in good agreement with the actual observation results. Moreover, the DCA curves determined the clinical application value of predictive nomogram.

Conclusions

The pathologic-based nomogram could help clinicians to predict the occurrence of synchronous LM in postoperative CRC patients and provide a reference to perform appropriate metastatic screening plans and rational therapeutic options for the special population.

Routine Elastin Staining in Surgically Resected Colorectal Cancer: Impact on Venous Invasion Detection and its Association With Oncologic Outcomes

Venous invasion (VI) is a powerful yet underreported prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). Its detection can be improved with an elastin stain. We evaluated the impact of routine elastin staining on VI detection in resected CRC and its relationship with oncologic outcomes. Pathology reports from the year before (n=145) and the year following (n=128) the implementation of routine elastin staining at our institution were reviewed for established prognostic factors, including VI. A second review, using elastin stains, documented the presence/absence, location, number, and size of VI foci. The relationship between VI and oncologic outcomes was evaluated for original and review assessments. VI detection rates increased from 21% to 45% following implementation of routine elastin staining (odds ratio [OR]=3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8-5.3; P<0.0001). The second review revealed a lower VI miss rate postimplementation than preimplementation (22% vs. 48%, respectively; P=0.007); this difference was even greater for extramural VI-positive cases (9% vs. 38%, respectively; P=0.0003). Missed VI cases postimplementation had fewer VI foci per missed case (P=0.02) and a trend towards less extramural VI than those missed preimplementation. VI assessed with an elastin stain was significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (P=0.003), and cancer-specific survival (P=0.01) in contrast to VI assessed on hematoxylin and eosin alone (P=0.053 and 0.1, respectively). The association between VI and hematogenous metastasis was far stronger for elastin-detected VI (OR=11.5; 95% CI: 3.4-37.1; P<0.0001) than for hematoxylin and eosin-detected VI (OR=3.7; 95% CI: 1.4-9.9; P=0.01). Routine elastin staining enhances VI detection and its ability to stratify risk in CRC and should be considered for evaluation of CRC resection specimens.

Feasibility and Performance of Elastin Trichrome as a Primary Stain in Colorectal Cancer Resection Specimens: Results of an Interobserver Variability Study

Venous invasion (VI) is a powerful prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) that is widely underreported. The ability of elastin stains to improve VI detection is now recognized in several international CRC pathology protocols. However, concerns related to the cost and time required to perform and evaluate these stains in addition to routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains remains a barrier to their wider use. We therefore sought to determine whether an elastin trichrome (ET) stain could be used as a "stand-alone" stain in CRC resections, by comparing the sensitivity, accuracy, and reproducibility of detection of CAP-mandated prognostic factors using ET and H&E stains. Representative H&E- and ET-stained slides from 50 CRC resections, including a representative mix of stages and prognostic factors, were used to generate 2 study sets. Each case was represented by H&E slides in 1 study set and by corresponding ET slides from the same blocks in the other study set. Ten observers (3 academic gastrointestinal [GI] pathologists, 4 community pathologists, 3 fellows) evaluated each study set for CAP-mandated prognostic factors. ET outperformed H&E in the assessment of VI with respect to detection rates (50% vs. 28.6%; P<0.0001), accuracy (82% vs. 59%, P<0.0001), and reproducibility (k=0.554 vs. 0.394). No significant differences between ET and H&E were observed for other features evaluated. In a poststudy survey, most observers considered the ease and speed of assessment at least equivalent for ET and H&E for most prognostic factors, and felt that ET would be feasible as a stand-alone stain in practice. If validated by others, our findings support the use of ET, rather than H&E, as the primary stain for the evaluation of CRC resections.

Prognostic significance of lymph node count in high-risk node-negative colon carcinoma

BACKGROUND

the prognostic value of the number of lymph nodes isolated (< 12 versus ≥ 12) in the surgical specimen continues to be controversial. In this study, the impact of isolating fewer or more than 12 lymph nodes in stage II colon cancer with a high-risk biologic phenotype was analyzed, such as the presence of perineural invasion.

METHODS

all cases of stage II disease (T3-4N0M0) with perineural invasion (PNI+) were retrospectively identified from a prospective database of patients undergoing surgery for colon cancer. The cohort was divided into two groups depending on the number of lymph nodes isolated (< 12 vs ≥ 12). Apart from clinical and surgical data, the patterns of recurrence, overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at five and ten years were analyzed.

RESULTS

sixty patients met the inclusion criteria, 31.7 % had < 12 lymph nodes isolated and 68.3 % had more than 12 isolated. There were no clinical or surgical differences between the two groups. OS at five and ten years was significantly lower in the patients with < 12 lymph nodes isolated (84.2 %, 62.7 % vs 94.6 % and 91.6 %, p = 0.01). DFS at five and ten years was 51 % vs 86.5 %, respectively (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

the number of lymph nodes isolated (with a cutoff of 12) in stage II colon cancer with PNI+ has prognostic value and should therefore be borne in mind when planning adjuvant chemotherapy.

Smooth muscular layer: A new helpful criterion to reclassify tumor deposits into metastatic lymph nodes in patients with colo-rectal adenocarcinoma

CONTEXT

The origin of tumor deposit in colorectal cancer is still unknown, and currently there is no single morphological feature to distinguish a metastatic lymph node from a tumor deposit. Histologically, the normal lymph node capsule and trabeculae contain a smooth muscular layer, which when present in extramural deposits would strongly suggest their lymph node origin.

OBJECTIVE

We analyze the value of the smooth muscular layer criterion in reclassifying tumor deposit into metastatic lymph node.

DESIGN

A total of 458 colo-rectal carcinomas surgical specimens treated or not by neoadjuvant (radio)chemotherapy were retrospectively included. Harvested tumor deposits were analyzed by Hematoxylin and Eosin and elastin staining on 10 consecutive serial sections and by α- smooth muscle actin immunostaining.

RESULTS

A total of 129 tumor deposits were identified. 77 (60%) tumor deposits were reclassified into metastatic lymph node, of which 63 (49%) presented a smooth muscular layer on the initial Hematein Eosin staining and/or after serial tissue sections, confirmed by positive α-smooth muscle actin immunostaining in 43 out of 45 cases (90%). Fourteen (18%) additional tumor deposits were reclassified into metastatic lymph node by the appearance of lymphoid tissue after serial sections.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a smooth muscular layer in a presumable tumor deposit is helpful in pointing out its lymph node origin in patients with colo-rectal carcinomas. This criterion could improve the inter-observer agreement of tumor deposit identification, allowing accurate nodal staging and better assessment of patient's prognosis.

Diagnosis and prognostic significance of extramural venous invasion in neuroendocrine tumors of the small intestine

Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) is an established independent prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma where it is linked to hematogenous spread (i.e., liver metastases), influencing the decision for adjuvant chemotherapy. However, its prognostic significance in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has not been studied, nor is it routinely assessed or reported. We reviewed primary small bowel NETs (14 jejunum, 82 ileum, 8 not specified) from 104 patients (52 women; median age 60.5, range: 24-84). EMVI was identified in 58 cases (55.8%), including in 13 of 21 equivocal cases using an elastin stain. In univariate analysis, EMVI was associated with lymphovascular and perineural invasion, tumor stage, and lymph node and distant metastases, whereas in multivariate analysis, only distant metastases remained significant (p < 0.001). Liver metastases were present in 55 cases (52.9%) and were significantly associated in univariate analysis with lymphovascular and perineural invasion, tumor stage, lymph node metastases, and EMVI, whereas in multivariate analysis, only EMVI remained significant (p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 59.42). Eight patients developed metachronous liver metastases during follow-up (mean 22.9 ± 22.0 months, range: 4.7-73.2) and all (100%) were positive for EMVI. In contrast, of 49 patients who never developed liver metastases over significantly longer follow-up (mean 71.0 ± 32.4 months, range: 6.6-150.4; p < 0.001), only 7 (14.3%) had EMVI (p < 0.001). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, 8 of 15 patients with EMVI (53.3%) developed metachronous liver metastases, compared with 0 of 42 patients without EMVI (p < 0.001). In contrast, nonhepatic distant metastases, seen in 26 (25.0%) patients, were not associated with EMVI in multivariate or Kaplan-Meier analyses. Our data demonstrate that EMVI is common in small bowel NETs and strongly correlates with development of liver metastases. Therefore, its evaluation is critical and should be assessed in combination with adjuvant techniques such as elastin staining, if necessary. Moreover, inclusion of EMVI in pathology reporting guidelines should be considered.

Comparison of safety between self-expanding metal stents as a bridge to surgery and emergency surgery based on pathology: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To explore the long-term oncological safety of using self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery for acute obstructive colorectal cancer by comparing the pathological results of emergency surgery (ES) with elective surgery after the placement of SEMS.

METHODS

Studies comparing SEMS as a bridge to surgery with emergency surgery for acute obstructive colorectal cancer were retrieved through the databases of Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries, and a meta-analysis was conducted based on the pathological results of the two treatments. Risk ratios (OR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the outcomes under random effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 27 studies were included, including 3 randomized controlled studies, 2 prospective studies, and 22 retrospective studies, with a total of 3737 patients. The presence of perineural invasion (RR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.48, 0.71, P < 0.00001), lymphovascular invasion (RR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.47, 0.99, P = 0.004) and vascular invasion (RR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.45, 0.99, P = 0.04) in SEMS group were significantly higher than those in ES group, and there was no significant difference in lymphatic invasion (RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.77, 1.09, P = 0.33). The number of lymph nodes harvested in SEMS group was significantly higher than that in ES group (MD = - 3.18, 95% CI - 4.47, - 1.90, P < 0.00001). While no significant difference was found in the number of positive lymph nodes (MD = - 0.11, 95% CI - 0.63, 0.42, P = 0.69) and N stage [N0 (RR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.92, 1.15, P = 0.60), N1 (RR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.87, 1.14, P = 0.91), N2 (RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.77, 1.15, P = 0.53)].

CONCLUSIONS

SEMS implantation in patients with acute malignant obstructive colorectal cancer may lead to an increase in adverse tumor pathological characteristics, and these characteristics are mostly related to the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer. Although the adverse effect of SEMS on long-term survival has not been demonstrated, their adverse effects cannot be ignored. The use of SEMS as the preferred treatment for patients with resectable obstructive colorectal cancer remains to be carefully weighed, especially when patients are young or the surgical risk is not very high.

Elastin and collagen IV double staining: A refined method to detect blood vessel invasion in breast cancer

Blood vessel invasion (BVI) is a prognostic indicator in various cancers. Elastic stain, which highlights blood vessel walls, is commonly used to detect BVI. In the breast, however, its diagnostic usefulness is limited because it also highlights some intraductal carcinoma components, which often mimic BVI. In this study, we aimed to improve BVI detection in breast cancer and developed a double staining: Victoria blue for elastin and immunohistochemistry for collagen IV. Collagen IV fibers were retained along the basement membranes of intraductal carcinoma components, whereas they were rearranged or lost in BVI. From these observations, we defined BVI as the presence of tumor cells inside an elastic ring with a rearrangement or loss of collagen IV fibers. Using these criteria, we found BVI in 148 cases (49%) among 304 cases of primary operable invasive breast carcinoma, and the presence of BVI correlated significantly with poor prognosis. By contrast, we detected BVI in 94 cases (31%) or 14 cases (5%) by elastic van Gieson or CD31 immunostaining among the same cases, respectively, with no statistically significant association with prognosis. Thus, elastin and collagen IV double staining facilitates the detection of BVI in breast cancer and is useful to predict prognosis.

Comparison of short-term outcome between diverting colostomy and colonic stent as a bridge to surgery for left colonic malignant obstruction

The self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) has been comprehensively investigated as a bridge to surgery. SEMS enables the control of acute colonic obstruction. However, comparison between SEMS and diverting colostomy as another bridge procedure was still challenging issue. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare these 2 procedures.In this retrospective cohort study, patients who received diverting colostomy and SEMS for acute left colonic obstruction between February 2016 and August 2018 were included. They were classified into the colostomy group (n = 27), including 5 patients who had SEMS failure previously, and the SEMS group (n = 23). The clinicopathologic parameters, pathologic results, and short-term outcomes were compared.No significant differences were found in clinicopathologic characteristics and complication rates between the 2 groups. After the bridge procedures, the SEMS group showed a higher rate of laparoscopic colonic resection than the colostomy group (100% vs 76%, P = .023). The colostomy group showed a higher rate of rectal cancer (24.0% vs 9.1%, P = .019) and later recovery of flatus (3 vs 2 days, P = .011) than the SEMS group. Additionally, the length of resected colon was longer in the colostomy group than in the SEMS group (33.9 vs 23.4 cm, P = .007).Although SEMS might permit higher laparoscopic resection rates and faster recovery of bowel habits than diverting colostomy, SEMS showed meaningful failure rate including migration and perforation. In addition, diverting colostomy showed acceptable complication rates and feasible performance. An individualized approach is necessary considering the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures.

Prognostic significance of venous invasion in node-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Venous invasion (VI) is not frequently evaluated on routine histologic examination of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the prognostic significance is largely unknown. Studies have shown that extramural venous invasion is an adverse prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the prognostic significance of venous invasion in node-negative (without clinical or pathologic evidence of lymph node involvement) HNSCC, utilizing the elastic stain.

METHODS

A total of 105 consecutive lymph node-negative (N0) HNSCC were evaluated for the presence of venous channel invasion by tumor utilizing the elastin stain. Clinical, demographic, and follow-up data were recorded.

RESULTS

Of 37 patients with venous invasion, 19% had loco-regional recurrence, as opposed to 12% of those without. Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant decreased recurrence-free survival in the presence of venous invasion (log-rank [Mantel-Cox] test P-value .025).

CONCLUSION

Identification of VI is greatly aided by elastic stain. In patients with node-negative HNSCC, presence of VI resulted in decreased recurrence-free survival on univariate analysis. The impact of VI as a prognostic marker should be further evaluated.

Differential Survival Benefits of 5-Fluorouracil-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With Microsatellite-Stable Stage III Colorectal Cancer According to the Tumor Budding Status: A Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent research has established tumor budding as a prognostic factor and a possible histomorphologic reflection of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer, highlighting the ability of cancer cells exhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition to resist chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy according to the tumor budding status in microsatellite-stable stage III colorectal cancer.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study of 2 cohorts.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted at the National Defense Medical College in Japan.

PATIENTS

We reviewed 2 data sets of patients with microsatellite-stable stage III colorectal cancer with curatively intended surgery (R0) from 1999 to 2005 (first cohort; n = 203) and 2006 to 2012 (second cohort; n = 346). In both cohorts, 128 and 203 patients received 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy and 75 and 143 patients did not.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We assessed the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy according to the grades of tumor budding based on the cancer-specific survival.

RESULTS

In low-budding tumors, the chemotherapy group exhibited better cancer-specific survival than the surgery-alone group (first cohort, 93.1% vs 65.5%, p = 0.001; second cohort, 94.0% vs 76.0%, p < 0.0001). Conversely, the prognostic difference between the chemotherapy and surgery-alone groups was statistically insignificant in high-budding tumors (first cohort, 59.7% vs 52.4%, p = 0.57; second cohort, 83.1% vs 75.6%, p = 0.19). The multivariate analysis corroborated the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy in low-budding tumors (first cohort, p = 0.002, HR = 0.28; second cohort, p < 0.0001, HR = 0.23) but not in high-budding tumors.

LIMITATIONS

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and treatments for recurrence were not homogeneous, and the patient backgrounds differed between the chemotherapy and surgery alone groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The high-budding group demonstrated resistance to 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, whereas the low-budding group exhibited significant survival benefits from adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colorectal cancer. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B14. BENEFICIOS DE SUPERVIVENCIA DIFERENCIAL DE LA QUIMIOTERAPIA ADYUVANTE BASADA EN 5-FLUOROURACILO PARA PACIENTES CON CÁNCER COLORRECTAL EN ESTADIO III ESTABLE CON MICROSATÉLITE SEGÚN EL ESTADO DE BROTACIÓN DEL TUMOR: UN ANÁLISIS RETROSPECTIVO:: Investigaciones recientes han establecido la aparición de tumores como un factor pronóstico y una posible reflexión histomorfológica de la transición epitelial-mesenquimatosa en el cáncer colorrectal, destacando la capacidad de las células cancerosas que presentan una transición epitelio-mesenquimática para resistir la quimioterapia.El objetivo de este estudio es investigar los beneficios clínicos de la quimioterapia adyuvante según el estado de brotación del tumor en el cáncer colorrectal en estadio III estable con microsatélite.Este fue un estudio retrospectivo de dos cohortes.El estudio se realizó en la Escuela de Medicina de la Defensa Nacional de Japón.Revisamos dos conjuntos de datos de pacientes con cáncer colorrectal en estadio III estable con microsatélite con cirugía de intención curativa (R0) de 1999 a 2005 (primera cohorte; n = 203) y 2006 a 2012 (segunda cohorte; n = 346). En ambas cohortes, 128 y 203 pacientes recibieron quimioterapia adyuvante basada en 5-fluorouracilo y 75 y 143 pacientes no, respectivamente.Evaluamos los beneficios de la quimioterapia adyuvante de acuerdo con los grados de brotación del tumor en función de la supervivencia específica del cáncer.n los tumores con brotes bajos, el grupo de quimioterapia mostró una mejor supervivencia específica al cáncer que el grupo con cirugía sola (primera cohorte, 93.1% vs. 65.5%, p = 0.001; segunda cohorte, 94.0% vs. 76.0%, p < 0.0001). A la inversa, la diferencia pronóstica entre los grupos de quimioterapia y cirugía sola fue estadísticamente insignificante en los tumores de brotes elevados (primera cohorte, 59.7% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.57; segunda cohorte, 83.1% vs. 75.6%, p = 0.19). El análisis multivariado corroboró los beneficios de la quimioterapia adyuvante en los tumores de brotes bajos (primera cohorte, p = 0,002, índice de riesgo: 0,28; segundo cohorte, p <0,0001, índice de riesgo: 0,23) pero no en los tumores de alto brote.a quimioterapia adyuvante postoperatoria y los tratamientos para la recurrencia no fueron homogéneos, y los antecedentes de los pacientes difirieron entre los grupos de quimioterapia y cirugía sola.El grupo de alto brote demostró resistencia a la quimioterapia basada en 5-fluorouracilo, mientras que el grupo de bajo brote mostró beneficios significativos de supervivencia de la quimioterapia adyuvante en el cáncer colorrectal en estadio III. Vea el Resumen del Video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B14.

Perineural and lymphovascular invasion predicts for poor prognosis in locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery

Background: Perineural invasion (PNI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) are associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer, but their clinical significance is still controversial for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who had received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and surgical resection. The aim of this study was to confirm the correlation between PNI and/or LVI and clinical prognosis and to further confirm whether PNI and/or LVI can be used as potential prognostic indicators of adjuvant chemotherapy after nCRT and surgery in LARC.

Methods: From February 2002 to December 2012, a total of 181 patients with LARC who had received nCRT and surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard regression model.

Results: The median follow-up time was 48 months (range, 3 to 162 months). All the PNI-positive and/or LVI-positive patients showed adverse DFS and OS (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, PNI and LVI were independent prognostic factors for DFS. PNI, rather than LVI, was also an independent prognostic factor for OS. In a subgroup analysis, PNI-positive, rather than LVI-positive, may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusion: For patients with LARC undergoing nCRT and surgery, PNI-positive and/or LVI positive were associated with poorer DFS and OS. And PNI-positive, rather than LVI-positive, may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Screening-detected colorectal cancers show better long-term survival compared with stage-matched symptomatic cancers

PURPOSE

the aim of this study was to compare overall and disease-free survival among patients with colorectal cancer detected via a screening program as compared to those with symptomatic cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

patients diagnosed via colonoscopy (screening group) and those with clinical symptoms (non-screening) were identified from 1995 to 2014. Demographic, clinical, surgical and pathologic variables were recorded. Stage I, II and III cancers were included. Overall and disease-free survival were calculated at five and ten years after tumor resection and survival was calculated by matching both groups for cancers at stage I, II and III.

RESULTS

two hundred and fifty patients were identified as a result of screening procedures and 1,330 patients presented with symptomatic cancers. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Pathologic stage, degree of differentiation, perineural invasion and lymphovascular invasion were lower in the screening group (p < 0.01). Overall and disease-free survival at five and ten years were higher in the screening group (p < 0.01). However, when the subjects were matched for pathologic stage, significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to stage I and III tumors. Disease-free survival in stage III at five years (79.1 vs 61.7%; p < 0.001) and ten years (79.1% vs 58.5%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the screening group.

CONCLUSIONS

patients with stage I and III tumors that were diagnosed via a screening program have a higher overall and disease-free survival at five and ten years.

Newly recognized extratumoral features of colorectal cancer challenge the current tumor-node-metastasis staging system

One of the most common malignant tumors in humans, colorectal cancer has been extensively studied during the past few decades. Staging colorectal cancer allows clinicians to obtain precise prognostic information and apply specific treatment procedures. Apart from remote metastases, the depth of tumor infiltration and lymph node involvement have traditionally been recognized as the most important factors predicting outcome. Variations in the molecular signature of colorectal cancer have also revealed differences in phenotypic aggressiveness and therapeutic response rates. This article presents a review of the extratumoral environment in colorectal surgery.

[Venous invasions in colonic adenocarcinoma: Value of elastic stain]

The aim of our study was to assess the value of Elastic stain in the diagnosis of venous invasion (VI) in colonic adenocarcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients who undergone surgery for colonic adenocarcinoma at the University Hospital of Amiens, between 2004 and 2007, were included. Hematein-phloxin-saffron (HPS) stained slides of colectomy specimens were reviewed by two pathologists. Tumor blocks were stained with Elastic Stain (Roche - Ventana^®). The presence or absence of VI, their number and localization were correlated with overall survival.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-one cases were investigated and 3274 slides were examined. VI were more often diagnosed by Elastic Stain than HPS stain (66% vs. 40%). Ninety percent of VI were revealed within the first 6 HPS slides, and from the first 5 in Elastic Stain. The presence of VI revealed by Elastic Stain and/or HPS was significantly associated with decreased overall survival in multivariate analysis (P=0.029), especially for stage IIA tumors (P=0.016). Tumor differentiation (P=0.006) and pTNM stage (P=0.001) were also independent prognostic factors. The localization and the number of VI were not prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms the prognostic value of VI, revealed by an elastic stain, in colonic adenocarcinoma. A systematic elastic stain of all tumor blocks (number at least 5) could be considered in the future, during pathological examination of colectomy for adenocarcinoma.

Poorer prognosis associated with simultaneous lymphatic and vascular invasion in patients with squamous carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the cumulative influence of simultaneous lymphatic and vascular invasion in thoracic oesophageal squamous carcinoma after radical operation.

METHODS

A total of 598 cases with thoracic oesophageal squamous carcinoma that were cured by radical open oesophagectomy and extensive lymphadenectomy in the period of 2002 to 2014 were included. An association of the status of lymphovascular invasion with clinicopathological factors and a recurrent pattern was illustrated. Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated, and the risk factors for decreased disease-free survival were determined with Kaplan-Meier subset analyses and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The status of lymphovascular invasion was significantly associated with tumour differentiation ( P  = 0.045) and the pathological tumour, node and metastasis stage ( P  < 0.001), which includes the tumour intramural invasive depth (T parameter) as well as regional (N parameter) and distant (M parameter) lymph node involvement. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival and postoperative disease-free survival were significantly decreased by lymphatic or vascular invasion alone ( P  < 0.001) and were further decreased by simultaneous lymphatic and vascular invasion ( P  < 0.001). The independent risk factors that predicted reduced disease-free survival were the following: T parameter ( P  < 0.001, odds ratio: 1.436), N parameter ( P  < 0.001, odds ratio: 1.838) and the status of lymphovascular invasion ( P  < 0.001, odds ratio: 1.568). Simultaneous lymphatic and vascular invasion were significantly correlated with postoperative early recurrence ( P  = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous lymphatic and vascular invasion independently has a more adverse effect on prognosis than lymphatic or vascular invasion alone. Differentiating between lymphatic and vascular invasion is recommended in order to further study the role of lymphovascular invasion in cancer staging and prognostication in multicentre prospective studies.

Anastomotic Recurrence After Curative Resection for Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

A precise understanding of anastomotic recurrence (AR) permits efficient surveillance and treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with AR undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer (CRC), compare colonic with rectal tumors and investigate the risk factors related to AR.

METHODS

A single-institution, retrospective cohort of 9024 patients who underwent curative surgery for CRC between 2000 and 2010 was enrolled. Patients were classified into AR group (n = 53) or non-AR group (n = 8971) and were also characterized by tumor location.

RESULTS

The AR group was independently associated with old age (p = 0.046), advanced N stage (p = 0.003), the rectum (p = 0.001), a large tumor (p = 0.001) and mucinous differentiation (MU) (p = 0.026). In colon cancers, the AR group (n = 20) was independently associated with MU (p = 0.022) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p = 0.001). In rectal cancers, the AR group (n = 33) was independently associated with N2 stage (p = 0.007) and a large tumor (p < 0.001). AR is a burden to patients and physicians because these tumors have a poor prognosis and more advanced pathologic stages than the primary tumors. However, N0 stage and curative resection of an AR tumor (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) were found to be independently associated with improved survival in a Cox regression model.

CONCLUSION

AR is independently associated with the rectum. In colon cancers, MU and LVI are independent risk factors for AR. In rectal cancers, a large tumor and N2 stage are independent risk factors for AR. Although AR shows a poor prognosis, early detection and curative resection may lead to an improved survival.

MicroRNA-375 suppresses human colorectal cancer metastasis by targeting Frizzled 8

microRNAs are aberrantly expressed during the development and progression of a variety of human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Of these microRNAs, microRNA-375 (miR-375) was previously observed to be downregulated in human colorectal cancer(CRC) plasma and tissues, but its functions are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the impact of miR-375 on CRC metastasis. Specifically, miR-375 expression was significantly decreased in human CRC tissues compared with their matched noncancerous tissues (NCTs), and low levels of miR-375 predicted tumor metastatic potential. The up-regulation of miR-375 suppressed colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and reduced tumor metastases in murine models established by both orthotopic implantation and spleen injection. Furthermore, we identified Frizzled 8 (FZD8) as a direct target of miR-375 in CRC, and miR-375 negatively regulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling by suppressing FZD8. More importantly, FZD8 expression inversely correlated with overall survival in human CRC patients and is a likely independent predictor of survival. Therefore, we concluded that miR-375 functions as a tumor-suppressive microRNA by directly acting upon FZD8, which may serve as a new therapeutic target to inhibit tumor metastasis in CRC.

Observational Study: Familial Relevance and Oncological Significance of Revised Bethesda Guidelines in Colorectal Patients That Have Undergone Curative Resection

Amsterdam criteria for the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) exclude most suspect cases of possible hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). By contrast, revised Bethesda guidelines excessively broaden the disease spectrum. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the cliniciopathilogical characteristics of patients fulfilling the revised Bethesda guidelines and to review the efficacy and limitations of the revised guidelines.This retrospective study enrolled 3609 patients who underwent curative surgery for primary CRC. Patients were classified into the Bethesda group or the control group according to whether they fulfilled the revised Bethesda guidelines. Patients were further categorized when they fulfilled a minimum of 2 items of the revised guidelines. Individual items were analyzed for deficient mismatch repair (d-MMR).The median follow-up was 82.9 (interquartile range, 72-101) months. Patients in the Bethesda group were younger and had a higher rate of reduced mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression, microsatellite instability, and right colonic involvement (all P < 0.001) than the control group. As a predictor of d-MMR, the revised Bethesda guidelines showed a sensitivity of 63.0% and a specificity of 72.6%. Items 1 and 2, respectively, or the item pair 1 and 2, were independent predictors of d-MMR (all P < 0.001). Patients fulfilling the Bethesda guidelines showed clinicopathological features of HNPCC.The revised Bethesda guidelines appear to be a competent predictor of d-MMR. Specifically, items 1 and 2 are significant predictors of d-MMR and may be relevant to the application of the revised Bethesda guidelines.

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of housefly (Musca domestica) maggot-derived protein-enriched extracts by dampened oxidative stress in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Despitemany therapeutic advances, atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries.

Prognostic value of the number and size of venous invasions in pT3 colorectal cancer: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Although venous invasion is reportedly a clinically useful prognostic marker for colorectal cancer, suitable grading criteria have not been established.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the number and size of venous invasions in patients with pT3 colorectal cancer.

METHODS

We recruited 139 consecutive patients with pT3 colorectal carcinomas resected between October 2001 and August 2003. We used slides of whole-tissue sections stained with Elastica van Gieson. Venous invasion was classified according to the number of veins with carcinoma infiltration per slide with most venous invasions (V-number classification): V(n)-low 0-3 and V(n)-high ≥4. Additionally, the findings were classified according to the maximal size of veins containing carcinoma infiltration (V-size classification): V(s)-low <1 mm and V(s)-high ≥1 mm. The grades of venous invasions were evaluated just after surgery.

RESULTS

The 5-year survival rate of V(n)-low and V(n)-high were 89.9 and 59.1 %, respectively (p < 0.0001). Comparisons between overall survival curves revealed that V-number classification (but not V-size classification) had a significant prognostic value in patients with pT3 cancer, especially in stage II patients (98.2 and 64.2 %, respectively; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed distant metastasis, age, and V-number classification (hazard ratio 3.1; p = 0.0071) as independent prognostic indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

V-number classification may be a useful prognostic system when evaluating and sub-grouping patients with pT3 colorectal cancer.

Local massive venous invasion in colorectal cancer: CT-pathological correlation and its clinical implication

OBJECTIVE

To identify CT findings of massive venous invasion (MVI) in colorectal cancer, compare them to pathological findings and evaluate its clinical implications.

METHODS

Among 423 patients who received surgical resection of colorectal cancer, pre-operative CT of 26 patients (15 males, 11 females; mean age, 63.0 ± 12.1 years) with histopathologially proven MVI and 26 patients (14 males, 12 females; mean age, 71.1 ± 9.6 years) with histopathologically proven lymph node (LN) metastases were reviewed and compared with histopathological findings. We evaluated CT detectability of MVI and the morphologic differences between MVI and LN metastasis. All cases were followed up for at least 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Pre-operative CT correctly diagnosed only one case as tumour thrombus. 9 lesions were not detected on CT, and others were misdiagnosed pre-operatively as regional LN metastasis (14 cases) and juxtatumoural abscess (2 cases). After reviewing these cases, MVIs were identifiable in 20 of 26 cases. MVI was depicted on CT as nodules (oval, lobulated), abscess-like or intravenous tumour thrombus. MVI was significantly larger than LN metastasis (p < 0.05), while contrast enhancement was significantly lower (p < 0.05), and MVI often had an enhanced rim. Ten patients had synchronous metastases, and six patients had metachronous distant metastases within 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Many cases of MVI were distinguishable from LN metastases on pre-operative CT of colorectal cancer, but their appearances were varied, reflecting their histopathological behaviours. The distant metastatic rate was much higher in cases with MVI.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Radiologists should be aware of CT findings of MVI in colorectal cancer as a sentinel sign of distant metastasis.

Lymph node ratio improves TNM and Astler-Coller's assessment of colorectal cancer prognosis: an analysis of 761 node positive cases

BACKGROUND

Prognosis assessment of node-positive colorectal cancer patients by Astler-Coller (AC) and TNM classifications is suboptimal. Recently, several versions of lymph node ratio (LNR; ratio metastatic/examined nodes) have been proposed but are still mostly unused.

METHODS

The prognostic value of several criteria, including LNR (two classes-LNR1 and LNR2-identified by a 15% cut-off) was studied in 761 consecutive patients, from 2000 through 2010. The relationships between total examined nodes, N, T and LNR were also analysed. LNR1 and LNR2 patients' survival was analysed within AC and TNM subgroups, and then coupled with them.

RESULTS

Age, tumour location and LNR are independent factors predicting survival. The relationships between LNR, N stage and T stage with examined nodes suggest confusing factors. LNR allows for identification of subgroups with different survival within AC and TNM classifications (p < 0.0001). Patients with LNR class discordant from AC stage (LNR1-C2 and LNR2-C1) have a similar 5-year survival (54 and 57%, respectively). LNR2 and TNM stage IIIC define a poor 5-year prognosis (33%).

CONCLUSIONS

LNR is a powerful prognosis predictor, easily integrated with TNM and AC classifications to improve prognosis assessment and facilitate clinical use. Possible confusing factors should be considered in future studies.

Expression and DNA methylation of TNF, IFNG and FOXP3 in colorectal cancer and their prognostic significance

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is associated with suppression of host cell-mediated immunity and local immune escape mechanisms. Our aim was to assess the immune function in terms of expression of TNF, IFNG and FOXP3 in CRC.

METHODS

Sixty patients with CRC and 15 matched controls were recruited. TaqMan quantitative PCR and methylation-specific PCR was performed for expression and DNA methylation analysis of TNF, IFNG and FOXP3. Survival analysis was performed over a median follow-up of 48 months.

RESULTS

TNF was suppressed in tumour and IFNG was suppressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with CRC. Tumours showed enhanced expression of FOXP3 and was significantly higher when tumour size was >38 mm (median tumour size; P=0.006, Mann-Whitney U-test). Peripheral blood mononuclear cell IFNG was suppressed in recurrent CRC (P=0.01). Methylated TNFpromoter (P=0.003) and TNFexon1 (P=0.001) were associated with significant suppression of TNF in tumours. Methylated FOXP3cpg was associated with significant suppression of FOXP3 in both PBMC (P=0.018) and tumours (P=0.010). Reduced PBMC FOXP3 expression was associated with significantly worse overall survival (HR=8.319, P=0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

We have detected changes in the expression of immunomodulatory genes that could act as biomarkers for prognosis and future immunotherapeutic strategies.

Impact of perineural and lymphovascular invasion on oncological outcomes in rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of perineural and/or lymphovascular invasion (PLVI) and its relationship with tumor regression grade (TRG) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery.

METHODS

A total of 324 patients with LARC were treated with CRT and operated on between January 1992 and June 2007. Tumors were graded using a quantitative 5-grade TRG classification and the presence of PLVI was histologically studied.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 79.0 months (range 3-250 months), a total of 80 patients (24.7%) relapsed. The observed 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) was 83.2 and 74.9 %, respectively. The 5- and 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 75.1 and 71.4%, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the TRG and survival (log rank, p < 0.001). The 10-year OS was 32.7% for grade 1, 63.8% for grade 2, 75.0% for grade 3, 90.4% for grade 3+, and 96.0%,for grade 4. The 10-year DFS was 31.8% for grade 1, 58.6% for grade 2, 70.4% for grade 3, 88.4% for grade 3+, and 97.1% for grade 4. In patients with PLVI, the TRG had no impact on survival. When excluding patients with PLVI, the TRG was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of PLVI is a more powerful prognostic factor than TRG in LARC patients treated with neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery. PLVI denotes an aggressive phenotype, suggesting that these patients may benefit from adjuvant systemic therapy.

Venous invasion in oesophageal adenocarcinoma: enhanced detection using elastic stain and association with adverse histological features and clinical outcomes

AIMS

In oesophageal adenocarcinoma, detection rates of venous invasion using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and elastic stains have not been compared. The aims of this study were to investigate whether or not elastic stains facilitate the detection of venous invasion, and to determine the prognostic significance of venous invasion following review with elastic stains.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred and three resection specimens containing oesophageal adenocarcinoma, all reported originally as negative for venous invasion, were examined for the presence of venous invasion using H&E and subsequently Movat pentachrome stains. Venous invasion was detected in eight cases with H&E and an additional 66 cases using Movat pentachrome; overall, 72% of cases contained venous invasion. Venous invasion was associated with advanced stage, tumour size, lymphatic and perineural invasion and subsequent distant metastases. Venous invasion, stage, size, grade, lymphatic invasion and perineural invasion were prognostically significant on univariate analysis. Only tumour stage was independently prognostic. Two of eight patients with venous invasion but no other indication for adjuvant treatment died of recurrent disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Elastic stains improve detection of venous invasion significantly in oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Venous invasion is associated with multiple adverse clinicopathological features. Its identification may facilitate the stratification of patients at risk for visceral metastases and disease-related death.

The detection and role of lymphatic and blood vessel invasion in predicting survival in patients with node negative operable primary colorectal cancer

Although vascular invasion in colorectal cancer has been recognised since 1938, detection methods and results remain inconsistent. Vascular invasion is currently an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer influencing disease progression and survival. The vascular system consists of three components, arterial, venous and lymphatic vessels, all of which can be invaded but accurate distinction between the components remains difficult with routine staining techniques. Even though higher detection rates with elastica staining, for large vessel invasion, and recent techniques for immunohistochemistry for small vessel invasion, have been reported, a standardised method of detection has not been agreed upon which is reflected in the variability of published results. As a result of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in the UK it will be necessary to attempt to identify and stratify patients better, to be able to handle the stage migration to early node negative colorectal cancer. At present up to a third of patients, with node-negative colorectal cancer on conventional histopathological analysis, ultimately die of recurrent disease. It is therefore important to develop and standardised methods to identify lymphatic and blood vessel invasion which will influence ultimate survival. The present review summarises the current status of detection methods for these components of vascular invasion.

Debating deposits: an interobserver variability study of lymph nodes and pericolonic tumor deposits in colonic adenocarcinoma

CONTEXT

The American Joint Committee on Cancer's Cancer Staging Manual 7th edition defines pericolonic tumor deposits (TDs) as discrete tumor foci in pericolic fat showing no evidence of residual lymph node (LN). This definition relies on subjective features rather than size (5th edition) or shape (6th edition) and introduced the category N1c. Although typically straightforward, metastases are encountered for which the distinction between LNs and TDs is unclear. For data to be meaningful, agreement on distinguishing features between positive LNs and TDs is needed.

OBJECTIVES

To assess agreement among gastrointestinal pathologists evaluating difficult metastases and to report the distinguishing features they found helpful.

DESIGN

Twenty-five tumor metastases from right-sided colonic adenocarcinomas were selected in which the distinction between positive LNs and TDs was challenging. Virtual slides were reviewed by 7 gastrointestinal pathologists. A list of features potentially helpful in differentiating positive LNs and TDs was ranked for usefulness by each pathologist. Every metastasis was diagnosed as positive LN or TD. For each case diagnosed as positive LN, reviewers were asked to list every feature used in diagnosis.

RESULTS

Complete agreement was found for 11 of 25 metastases, 5 positive LNs and 6 TDs (κ statistic, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.67). Top-ranked features included round shape, peripheral lymphocyte rim, peripheral lymphoid follicles, possible subcapsular sinus, residual LN in surrounding fibroadipose tissue, and thick capsule. The top used features were similar among reviewers.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant agreement on positive LNs and TDs in difficult colonic adenocarcinoma metastases was found among evaluators, but inconsistency remains. Round shape, peripheral lymphocyte rim, peripheral lymphoid follicles, possible subcapsular sinus, residual LN in surrounding fibroadipose tissue, and thick capsule were most often used to aid in diagnosis.

Pathological diagnostic criterion of blood and lymphatic vessel invasion in colorectal cancer: a framework for developing an objective pathological diagnostic system using the Delphi method, from the Pathology Working Group of the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum

Aims

The goal of this study is to create an objective pathological diagnostic system for blood and lymphatic vessel invasion (BLI).

Methods

1450 surgically resected colorectal cancer specimens from eight hospitals were reviewed. Our first step was to compare the current practice of pathology assessment among eight hospitals. Then, H&E stained slides with or without histochemical/immunohistochemical staining were assessed by eight pathologists and concordance of BLI diagnosis was checked. In addition, histological findings associated with BLI having good concordance were reviewed. Based on these results, framework for developing diagnostic criterion was developed, using the Delphi method. The new criterion was evaluated using 40 colorectal cancer specimens.

Results

Frequency of BLI diagnoses, number of blocks obtained and stained for assessment of BLI varied among eight hospitals. Concordance was low for BLI diagnosis and was not any better when histochemical/immunohistochemical staining was provided. All histological findings associated with BLI from H&E staining were poor in agreement. However, observation of elastica-stained internal elastic membrane covering more than half of the circumference surrounding the tumour cluster as well as the presence of D2-40-stained endothelial cells covering more than half of the circumference surrounding the tumour cluster showed high concordance. Based on this observation, we developed a framework for pathological diagnostic criterion, using the Delphi method. This criterion was found to be useful in improving concordance of BLI diagnosis.

Conclusions

A framework for pathological diagnostic criterion was developed by reviewing concordance and using the Delphi method. The criterion developed may serve as the basis for creating a standardised procedure for pathological diagnosis.

Venous invasion in colorectal cancer: impact of an elastin stain on detection and interobserver agreement among gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal pathologists

Venous invasion (VI) is an independent prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer and may prompt consideration for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II tumors. Recent evidence suggests that VI is underreported in colorectal cancer and that detection may be enhanced by an elastin stain. This study aimed (1) to determine the impact of an elastin stain on VI detection and on interobserver agreement between gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI pathologists, and (2) to identify factors associated with increased VI detection. Forty hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides were circulated to 6 GI and 6 non-GI pathologists who independently assessed the VI status as positive, negative, or equivocal. Six weeks later, 40 corresponding Movat-stained slides were recirculated together with the original H&E slides and reassessed for VI status. Detection of VI was >2-fold higher with a Movat stain compared with an H&E stain alone (46.4% vs. 19.6%, P=0.001). GI pathologists detected VI more frequently than non-GI pathologists on both H&E (30.0% vs. 9.2%, P=0.029) and Movat (58.3% vs. 34.6%, P=0.018) stains. There was higher interobserver agreement in the case of a Movat stain, particularly for extramural VI (H&E: κ=0.23 vs. Movat: κ=0.41). A poststudy survey indicated that GI pathologists and non-GI pathologists applied similar diagnostic criteria but that GI pathologists more frequently applied "orphan arteriole" and "protruding tongue" signs as diagnostic clues to VI. This study confirms that VI is underdetected on H&E and highlights the role of elastin staining in improving VI detection and interobserver agreement. Strategies to improve VI detection are warranted.

Developments in the assessment of venous invasion in colorectal cancer: implications for future practice and patient outcome

Venous invasion, or "large vessel" invasion, is a known independent prognostic indicator of distant recurrence and survival in colorectal cancer. Accurate assessment of venous invasion is of particular importance in stage II disease because it may influence the decision to administer adjuvant therapy. Venous invasion is widely believed to be an underreported finding with significant variability in its reported incidence. In the most recent College of American Pathologists' cancer reporting protocol, venous invasion is not recorded separately from lymphovascular, or "small vessel" invasion, which may not be appropriate because these features confer differing prognostic information. The presence of extramural venous invasion is strongly predictive of adverse outcome, although the prognostic significance of intramural venous invasion remains unknown. There are no formal guidelines regarding the pathologic assessment of venous invasion or the application of specific reporting criteria. The routine use of an elastic stain results in an almost 3-fold increase in the venous invasion detection rate when compared with a standard hematoxylin and eosin stain and may be a cost-effective means of increasing the diagnostic yield of venous invasion. The development of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, where extramural venous invasion can be detected preoperatively, may also influence the manner in which pathologists process specimens. This review focuses on recent developments in the assessment of venous invasion and highlights their potential impact on future practice.

Clinical significance of lymphatic and blood vessel invasion in oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas

Although vascular invasion (VI) is recognized as an important predictor of lymph node metastasis and a significant prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), there is currently no common definition for the pathological evaluation of VI status. We reviewed the medical records of 63 consecutive resected primary oral tongue SCCs (OTSCCs) without preoperative treatment between June 1999 and April 2008, and evaluated VI status by investigating lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) and blood vessel invasion (BVI) by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) with monoclonal antibody D2-40 (D2-40) and Elastica van Gieson (EVG) staining, respectively. Subsequently, we analyzed their correlations with cervical lymph node metastasis and prognosis. LVI was found in 16 of the 63 tumors (25.4%) and BVI was in 32 tumors (50.8%). Univariate analysis revealed that the presence of LVI is statistically correlated with lymph node metastasis. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that LVI is an independent risk factor of nodal metastasis (odds ratio=4.262, 95% confidence interval=1.262-14.397, p=0.020). In contrast, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with BVI had a significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates than those without BVI (68.6% versus 90.3%, p=0.028 and 68.6% versus 93.5%, p=0.013, respectively). The present study clearly demonstrated that LVI at primary OTSCC had significant correlation with lymph node metastasis, and that BVI was significantly associated with recurrence and poor prognosis. Evaluation of VI status, as LVI and BVI status separately, using IHC with D2-40 and EVG staining may be useful in predicting lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in OTSCCs.

Intramural and extramural vascular invasion in colorectal cancer: prognostic significance and quality of pathology reporting

BACKGROUND

Blood vessel invasion has been associated with poor outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC), whereas the prognostic impact of lymphatic invasion is less clear. The authors of this report evaluated venous and lymphatic invasion as potential prognostic indicators in patients with CRC focusing on lymph node-negative patients and compared routine and review pathology diagnoses.

METHODS

In total, 381 tumors from randomly selected patients were retrospectively reviewed. The presence of vascular invasion was related to disease-free and cancer-specific survival using the Kaplan-Meier method. For multivariable analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed.

RESULTS

Lymphatic invasion and venous invasion were observed in 126 patients (33%) and 87 patients (23%), respectively, and were associated significantly with tumor classification, lymph node status, American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer (AJCC/UICC) disease stage, tumor differentiation, pattern of invasion, and extent of tumor budding. The detection of vascular invasion was related to the number of examined tissue blocks. Venous and lymphatic invasion proved to be significant prognostic variables in univariable and multivariable analyses. Extramural vascular involvement was of particular significance. When the analysis was restricted to patients with (AJCC/UICC) stage II disease, venous invasion, but not lymphatic invasion, was identified as an independent prognostic variable. Review pathology diagnoses differed significantly from routine diagnoses with respect to prognostic impact.

CONCLUSIONS

Venous and lymphatic invasion proved to be significant prognostic variables in patients with CRC. The detection of vascular invasion and, consequently, risk stratification of affected patients were related to the quality of pathology workup, ie, the number of examined tissue blocks. Observed differences between review and routine pathology diagnoses illustrated the need for high-quality pathology reporting and also for standardized quality control.