Side specific differences of tumor budding on non-metastatic colon cancer

Recent literature suggests that tumor budding (TB) may have a significant clinical impact on colorectal cancers. Our study aims to reveal the effect of TB on the long-term outcomes of patients and to reveal whether there is a difference in tumor location and TB in colonic cancer.

A cohort of 100 patients with non-metastatic colon cancer was included in the study. The clinicopathological information of the patients was reviewed. Patients' preparations were re-evaluated to identify TB as: low, medium, and high and represent 0-4 buds, 5-9 buds, and 10 or more buds per 0.785 mm2, respectively. Long-term oncological outcomes of patients were analyzed. The recurrence, metastasis, and final status of the patients were determined during the follow-up period.

Low TN was associated with <65 year (p = 0.048), absence of lymphatic metastasis (p = 0.003), and absence of perineural invasion (p = 0.023). High TB was associated with higher pT stage (p = 0.017) and tumor stage (p = 0.005). Additionally, right-sided tumors had a high TB score than left side (82.3% vs. 23.6%, p = 0.011). Patients with high TB had lower overall survival, but these were not statically significant. According to multiple regression analysis, mortality risk was associated with age (p = 0.046), pN status (p = 0.003) and TB (p = 0.040).

High TB is associated with mortality in colon cancer and is more common in right colonic carcinoma.