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Morphologic and mucin histochemical analysis of transitional zones in advanced ulcerated colorectal carcinomas:
O Tamai1, H Miyazato, M Shiraishi
1First Department of Surgery, Ryukyu University School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan. gajyu0@ryukyu.ne.jp
Background And Objectives:
The transitional zone, which is normal-appearing mucosa that surrounds a primary colorectal carcinoma, has characteristic histologic features, and an increased amount of sialomucin in the transitional zone have been associated with a poorer prognosis. To clarify the prognostic effects of changes in the transitional zone we studied the transitional zone in cancers of the colon and rectum.
Methods:
A total of 105 specimens resected for advanced colorectal carcinoma were studied to identify the effectiveness of evaluating morphologic types (polypoid or nonpolypoid growth type) and mucin expression (sulfomucin or sialomucin type) of the transitional zone as a prognostic indicator.
Results And Conclusions:
Nonpolypoid carcinomas were likely to have invaded the deeper layers and lymphatic vessels and go on to develop advanced disease. Sulfomucin-type tumors were predominantly found in the right side colon and followed a relatively favorable course. Our results indicate that the morphologic and mucin components of the transitional zone may be prognostic indicators for advanced colorectal carcinoma.