Abstract
Background/Aim: Lymphovascular and perineural invasion (LVI and PNI, respectively) are associated with poor prognosis in various cancers. We sought to identify clinical variables associated with LVI and PNI in colorectal cancer (CRC) and their effects on survival.
Methods: Our study design is consistent with a retrospective cohort study. Data from 237 patients with documented LVI or PNI who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer between 2017 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, surgery and pathology reports, disease-free and overall survival (DFS and OS, respectively) of the patients were examined.
Results: When the DFS duration of the patients were evaluated, The mean DFS of the LVI-negative group was 27.4 (15.09) months, and the mean of the LVI-positive patients was 20.45 (13) months. DFS was longer in the LVI-negative group (P<0.001). DFS was 52.26 (1.89) months in PNI-negative patients and 34.29 (2.71) months in PNI-positive patients. DFS expectation of PNI-positive patients was approximately 18 months less than that of negative patients (P<0.001). When the patients were evaluated in terms of OS duration, no significant difference was observed in LVI-negative and -positive patient groups, while the estimated OS duration was 52.29 (1.84) months in PNI-negative patients, and 40.10 (2.49) months in PNI-positive patients. OS was 12 months shorter in PNI-negative patients (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The use of PNI and LVI together was found to have a significant impact on the survival rates of patients with colorectal cancer. Documenting LVI and PNI status in biopsy specimens can aid in the management, prognosis, and decision-making for treating colorectal tumors.