Clinicopathologic features in colorectal cancer patients with microsatellite instability

The microsatellite instability (MSI) mutational pathway is critical to carcinogenesis in a small but significant proportion of colorectal cancers. While MSI is identified in most cancers in individuals with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, the majority of MSI tumors are found in individuals with sporadic disease. Colorectal cancers arising as a result of MSI have distinct clinicopathologic features distinguishing them from those with microsatellite stability. MSI colorectal cancers affect a larger percentage of women, are usually localized proximal to the splenic flexure, and have a higher incidence of synchronous and metachronous tumors. They are associated with a mucinous histology, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, a Crohn's-like inflammatory response, and a higher grade but lower stage. Overall survival is better in individuals with MSI. The benefit of chemotherapy in MSI colorectal cancers, with and without lymph node metastases, remains unclear.