Prognostic value of clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical markers in stage II colon cancer patients

Abstract

Background/Aims: The purpose of our analysis was to determine the prognostic value of molecular markers for identifying high-risk TNM stage II colon cancer patients, the association with various clinical and pathological features, and possible relation to survival. Methods: In 191 colon cancer patients who underwent a potentially curative resection, clinical and pathological factors (age, tumour site, histological grade of malignancy, pT stage, presence of venous, lymphatic and perineural invasion) and tumour molecular markers were analyzed. Molecular markers were assessed immunohistochemically in sections of paraffin- embedded tissues. Patients were followed for a median of 8.7 years. The 5-year survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier statistical method. Results: From 1. Jan.1994 to 31.Dec.2000, 191 patients underwent radical resection for T3-4 N0M0 colorectal cancer without adjuvant chemotherapy. A significant decrease in survival was identified in older patients, patients with tumours pT4 and with perineural invasion. We found no significant differences in survival of patients with expression of MLH1, Cyclin D1 and reduced overexpression of E-cadherin. Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that the presence of perineural invasion, pT4 stage and the patient?s age are significantly correlated with the expected survival in radically resected TNM stage II colon cancer patients, while immunohistochemical markers are not related to survival.