Prognostic significance of the mucin component in stage III rectal carcinoma patients

Although mucinous adenocarcinoma has been recognized for a long time, whether it is associated with a poorer prognosis in colorectal cancer patients is still controversial. Many studies put emphasis on mucinous adenocarcinoma containing mucin component ≥50%. Only a few studies have analyzed cases with a mucin component <50%.

This study aimed to analyze the prognostic value of different mucin component proportions in patients with stage III rectal cancer.

Clinical, pathological and follow-up data of 136 patients with the stage III rectal cancer were collected. Every variable was analyzed by univariate analysis, then multivariate analysis and survival analysis were further performed.

Univariate analysis showed pathologic T stage, lymphovascular invasion, and histological subtype were statistically significant for DFS. Pathologic T stage was significant for OS. Histological subtype and lymphovascular invasion were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis for DFS, and histological subtype was the only independent prognostic factor for OS. Survival curves showed the survival time of mucinous adenocarcinoma (MUC) was shorter than non-MUC (adenocarcinomas with a mucin component <50% and without mucin component).

Histological subtype (tumor with different mucin component) was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS and OS. Patients with MUC had a worse prognosis than their non-MUC counterparts with stage III rectal carcinoma.