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Jurescu A, Văduva A, Vița O, Gheju A, Cornea R, Lăzureanu C, Mureșan A, Cornianu M, Tăban S, Dema A. Colorectal Carcinomas: Searching for New Histological Parameters Associated with Lymph Node Metastases. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023; 59:1761. [PMID: 37893479 PMCID: PMC10608479 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be an essential public health problem. Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of classic prognostic factors and some less-studied histopathological parameters in CRC. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 71 colorectal carcinoma patients who underwent surgery at the "Pius Brînzeu" County Clinical Emergency Hospital in Timișoara, Romania. We analyzed the classic parameters but also tumor budding (TB), poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) of cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and the configuration of the tumor border on hematoxylin-eosin slides. Results: A high degree of malignancy (p = 0.006), deep invasion of the intestinal wall (p = 0.003), an advanced stage of the disease (p < 0.0001), lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.0001), perineural invasion (p < 0.0001), high-grade TB (p < 0.0001), high-grade PDCs (p < 0.0001), infiltrative tumor border configuration (p < 0.0001) showed a positive correlation with lymph node metastases. Conclusions: The analyzed parameters positively correlate with unfavorable prognostic factors in CRC. We highlight the value of classic prognostic factors along with a series of less-known parameters that are more accessible and easier to evaluate using standard staining techniques and that could predict the risk of relapse or aggressive evolution in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aura Jurescu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Adrian Văduva
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Octavia Vița
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Adelina Gheju
- Emergency County Hospital Deva, 330032 Deva, Romania
| | - Remus Cornea
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Codruța Lăzureanu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Anca Mureșan
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Marioara Cornianu
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Sorina Tăban
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Alis Dema
- Department of Microscopic Morphology-Morphopathology, ANAPATMOL Research Center, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Department of Pathology, “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timişoara, Romania
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Feakins RM, Loughrey MB, Silver A. Buds, clusters, and transitions in 21st century colorectal carcinoma: revolution or reinvention? †. J Pathol 2023; 261:121-124. [PMID: 37565277 DOI: 10.1002/path.6173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Tumour budding (TB) describes single or small groups of neoplastic cells that lack continuity with an advancing tumour front. Poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) are larger and qualitatively different. TB grade and PDCs may predict a worse outcome in colorectal carcinoma and other cancers and fall into the category of 'invasive front prognostic markers' that also includes intratumoural stroma type. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) allows the adoption by epithelial cells of mesenchymal characteristics such as dyscohesion, migration, and stromal invasion. TB and PDCs harbor alterations in EMT-related proteins and RNAs and may be morphological manifestations of EMT. However, persistence of epithelioid features and absence of a full complement of typical alterations in TB and PDCs may indicate 'partial EMT', i.e. an intermediate/hybrid state. Recently, Pavlič et al asserted that TB and PDCs in colorectal cancer represent different manifestations of partial EMT and, perhaps controversially, that TB is closer than PDCs to complete transition. In clinical practice, low inter-observer agreement for invasive front prognostic markers is a potential problem. The UK colorectal cancer pathology dataset advises assessment of TB and recommends the use of an international consensus system, but time will tell if we are adopting reliable prognostic markers or reinventing the wheel. Additional studies of TB, PDCs, and EMT will presumably allow greater insight into their role in tumour development and progression. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger M Feakins
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- University College London, London, UK
| | - Maurice B Loughrey
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Andrew Silver
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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3
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Zhou B, Zhou Y, Tang Y, Bao Y, Zou L, Yao Z, Feng X. Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI for rectal cancer: correlation of diffusion and perfusion characteristics with clinical-pathologic factors. Acta Radiol 2023; 64:898-906. [PMID: 35619546 DOI: 10.1177/02841851221100081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a promising alternative method for staging the cancer. PURPOSE To evaluate parameters of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and their relationships with clinical-pathologic factors in rectal cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 51 patients with histopathologically proven rectal cancer who underwent preoperative pelvic MRI were prospectively enrolled. Parameters (ADC, D, D*, and f) derived from IVIM-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were independently measured by two radiologists. Student's t-test, receiver operating characteristic curves, and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS ADC, D, and D* were significantly higher in pT1-2 tumors than in pT3-4 tumors (1.108 ± 0.233 vs. 0.950 ± 0.176, 0.796 ± 0.199 vs. 0.684 ± 0.114, 0.013 ± 0.005 vs. 0.008 ± 0.003, respectively; P < 0.05). D* exhibited a strong correlation with the tumor stage (r = -0.675, P < 0.001). In poorly differentiated cluster (PDC) grading, ADC, D*, and f were significantly lower in high-grade tumors than in low-grade tumors (0.905 ± 0.148 vs. 1.064 ± 0.200, 0.008 ± 0.002 vs. 0.011 ± 0.005, and 0.252 ± 0.032 vs. 0.348 ± 0.058, respectively; P < 0.05). The f value exhibited a significantly strong correlation with the PDC grades (r = -0.842, P < 0.001), and higher sensitivity and specificity (95.2% and 75.9%) than those shown by the ADC, D, and D* values. CONCLUSION IVIM parameters, especially f, demonstrated a strong correlation with histologic grades and showed a better performance in differentiating between high- and low-grade rectal cancers. These parameters would be helpful in predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijing Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yiming Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yibo Tang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yun Bao
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Liping Zou
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhenwei Yao
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiaoyuan Feng
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
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4
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Pavlič A, Boštjančič E, Kavalar R, Ilijevec B, Bonin S, Zanconati F, Zidar N. Tumour budding and poorly differentiated clusters in colon cancer - different manifestations of partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Pathol 2022; 258:278-288. [PMID: 36062412 PMCID: PMC9825925 DOI: 10.1002/path.5998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Morphological features including infiltrative growth, tumour budding (TB), and poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) have a firmly established negative predictive value in colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite extensive research, the mechanisms underlying different tumour growth patterns remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TB and PDCs in CRC. Using laser-capture microdissection, we obtained distinct parts of the primary CRC including TB, PDCs, expansive tumour front, and the central part of the tumour, and analysed the expression of EMT-related markers, i.e. the miR-200 family, ZEB1/2, RND3, and CDH1. In TB, the miR-200 family and CDH1 were significantly downregulated, while ZEB2 was significantly upregulated. In PDCs, miR-141, miR-200c, and CDH1 were significantly downregulated. No significant differences were observed in the expression of any EMT-related markers between the expansive tumour front and the central part of the tumour. Our results suggest that both TB and PDCs are related to partial EMT. Discrete differences in morphology and expression of EMT-related markers between TB and PDCs indicate that they represent different manifestations of partial EMT. TB seems to be closer to complete EMT than PDCs. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pavlič
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Emanuela Boštjančič
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Rajko Kavalar
- Department of PathologyUniversity Medical Centre MariborMariborSlovenia
| | - Bojan Ilijevec
- Department of Abdominal and General SurgeryUniversity Medical Centre MariborMariborSlovenia
| | - Serena Bonin
- Department of Medical SciencesUniversity of TriesteTriesteItaly
| | | | - Nina Zidar
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
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5
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Pai RK, Hartman D, Schaeffer DF, Rosty C, Shivji S, Kirsch R, Pai RK. Development and initial validation of a deep learning algorithm to quantify histological features in colorectal carcinoma including tumour budding/ poorly differentiated clusters. Histopathology 2021; 79:391-405. [PMID: 33590485 DOI: 10.1111/his.14353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To develop and validate a deep learning algorithm to quantify a broad spectrum of histological features in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS A deep learning algorithm was trained on haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from tissue microarrays of colorectal carcinomas (N = 230) to segment colorectal carcinoma digitised images into 13 regions and one object. The segmentation algorithm demonstrated moderate to almost perfect agreement with interpretations by gastrointestinal pathologists, and was applied to an independent test cohort of digitised whole slides of colorectal carcinoma (N = 136). The algorithm correctly classified mucinous and high-grade tumours, and identified significant differences between mismatch repair-proficient and mismatch repair-deficient (MMRD) tumours with regard to mucin, inflammatory stroma, and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). A cutoff of >44.4 TILs per mm2 carcinoma gave a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 73% in classifying MMRD carcinomas. Algorithm measures of tumour budding (TB) and poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) outperformed TB grade derived from routine sign-out, and compared favourably with manual counts of TB/PDCs with regard to lymphatic, venous and perineural invasion. Comparable associations were seen between algorithm measures of TB/PDCs and manual counts of TB/PDCs for lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.001); however, stronger correlations were seen between the proportion of positive lymph nodes and algorithm measures of TB/PDCs. Stronger associations were also seen between distant metastasis and algorithm measures of TB/PDCs (P = 0.004) than between distant metastasis and TB (P = 0.04) and TB/PDC counts (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the potential of deep learning to identify and quantify a broad spectrum of histological features in colorectal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reetesh K Pai
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Douglas Hartman
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - David F Schaeffer
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christophe Rosty
- Colorectal Oncogenomics Group, Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Envoi Specialist Pathologists, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sameer Shivji
- Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard Kirsch
- Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rish K Pai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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6
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Turri G, Barresi V, Valdegamberi A, Gecchele G, Conti C, Ammendola S, Guglielmi A, Scarpa A, Pedrazzani C. Clinical Significance of Preoperative Inflammatory Markers in Prediction of Prognosis in Node-Negative Colon Cancer: Correlation between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Poorly Differentiated Clusters. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9010094. [PMID: 33478082 PMCID: PMC7835814 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although stage I and II colon cancers (CC) generally show a very good prognosis, a small proportion of these patients dies from recurrent disease. The identification of high-risk patients, who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, becomes therefore essential. We retrospectively evaluated 107 cases of stage I (n = 28, 26.2%) and II (n = 79, 73.8%) CC for correlations among preoperative inflammatory markers, histopathological factors and long-term prognosis. A neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio greater than 3 (H-NLR) and a platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio greater than 150 (H-PLR) were significantly associated with the presence of poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) (p = 0.007 and p = 0.039, respectively). In addition, H-NLR and PDC proved to be significant and independent survival prognosticators for overall survival (OS; p = 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively), while PDC was the only significant prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival (CSS; p < 0.001,). Finally, the combination of H-NLR and PDC allowed an optimal stratification of OS and CSS in our cohort, suggesting a potential role in clinical practice for the identification of high-risk patients with stage I and II CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Turri
- Unit of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.T.); (A.V.); (G.G.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Valeria Barresi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (V.B.); (S.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessandro Valdegamberi
- Unit of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.T.); (A.V.); (G.G.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Gabriele Gecchele
- Unit of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.T.); (A.V.); (G.G.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Cristian Conti
- Unit of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.T.); (A.V.); (G.G.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Serena Ammendola
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (V.B.); (S.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Alfredo Guglielmi
- Unit of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.T.); (A.V.); (G.G.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (V.B.); (S.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Corrado Pedrazzani
- Unit of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.T.); (A.V.); (G.G.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)45-8124464-6719; Fax: +39-(0)45-8027426
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7
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Jun SY, Chung JY, Yoon N, Jung ES, Oh YH, Hong SM. Tumor Budding and Poorly Differentiated Clusters in Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2199. [PMID: 32781596 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinicopathologic and prognostic significances of tumor budding (TB) and poorly-differentiated clusters (PDC) have not been investigated in small intestinal adenocarcinomas (SIACs). In 236 surgically-resected SIACs, we counted TB (single cells or clusters ≤4 tumor cells) and PDC (clusters ≥5 tumor cells) at the peritumoral-invasive front (p) and in the intratumoral area (i) independently to classify as grade-1 (≤4), grade-2 (5–9), or grade-3 (≥10). Consequently, grades-2 and -3 were considered high-grade. High-pTB, -iTB, -pPDC, and -iPDC were observed in 174 (73.7%), 129 (54.7%), 118 (50.0%), and 85 (36.0%) cases, respectively. High-TB/PDCs were more frequently observed in tumors with high-grade, higher T- and N-categories and stage grouping, and perineural or lymphovascular invasion. Patients with high-TB/PDC had a shorter survival than those with low-TB/PDC. In a multivariate analysis, high-pTB, nonintestinal type, high N-category, retroperitoneal seeding, and microsatellite-stable were worse independent-prognostic predictors. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients with high-pTB showed worse survival (median: 42.5 months) than those with low-pTB (133.7 months; p = 0.007) in the lower stage (stages I–II) group. High-TB/PDC, both in peritumoral and intratumoral localizations, were associated with aggressive behaviors in SIACs. High-pTB can be used as an adverse prognostic indicator in SIAC patients, especially when patients are in early disease stages.
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8
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Shivji S, Conner JR, Barresi V, Kirsch R. Poorly differentiated clusters in colorectal cancer: a current review and implications for future practice. Histopathology 2020; 77:351-368. [PMID: 32358792 DOI: 10.1111/his.14128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Poorly differentiated clusters (PDC), defined as small groups of ≥5 tumour cells without glandular differentiation, have gained recent attention as a promising prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). Numerous studies have shown PDC to be significantly associated with other adverse histopathological features and worse clinical outcomes. PDC may hold particular promise in stage II colon cancer, where risk stratification plays a critical role in patient selection for adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that PDC can predict lymph node metastasis in endoscopically resected pT1 CRC, potentially helping the selection of patients for oncological resection. In 'head-to-head' comparisons, PDC grade has consistently outperformed conventional histological grading systems both in terms of risk stratification and reproducibility. With a number of large-scale studies now available, this review evaluates the evidence regarding the prognostic significance of PDC, considers its relationship with other emerging invasive front prognostic markers (such as tumour budding and stroma type), assesses its 'practice readiness', addressing issues such as interobserver reproducibility, scoring methodologies and special histological subtypes (e.g. micropapillary and mucinous carcinoma), and draws attention to ongoing challenges and areas in need of further study. Finally, emerging data on the role of PDC in non-colorectal cancers are briefly considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Shivji
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James R Conner
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Valeria Barresi
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Richard Kirsch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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9
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Aikawa A, Fujita H, Kosaka T, Minato H, Kiyokawa E. Clinicopathological significance of heterogeneic ezrin expression in poorly differentiated clusters of colorectal cancers. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:2667-2675. [PMID: 31175699 PMCID: PMC6676292 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicellular structures, such as tumor buddings and poorly differentiated clusters (PDC), exist at the invasive front of colorectal cancers (CRC). Although it has been reported that CRC with PDC showed frequent lymph node metastases with a worse prognosis, the molecular markers of PDC that are responsible for prognosis have not been identified. We here noticed for the first time that Ezrin, a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, is expressed in the corner cells of PDC. We then aimed to verify whether heterogeneous Ezrin expression in PDC predicts the prognosis of CRC patients. We immunohistochemically analyzed Ezrin expression in PDC of 184 patients with completely resected stages I‐III CRC. We established the Ezrin corner score (ECS), which quantifies the tendency of Ezrin‐positive cells to accumulate at the corners of PDC. On the basis of ECS values, 2 indices, the mean ECS and the number of PDC with high ECS, were obtained. Both indices were significantly higher in CRC with lymphatic invasion, higher PDC grade, and presence of micropapillary (MP) PDC. The mean ECS‐high group showed shorter recurrence‐free survival than the mean ECS‐low group but without significance. The other index, the number of ECS‐high PDC, was significantly associated with recurrence‐free survival. These results suggest that Ezrin is involved in PDC progression and lymphatic invasion, and that ECS may be a marker for aggressive PDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akane Aikawa
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku-gun, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Toyama Prefectural Central Hospital, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hideto Fujita
- Department of Surgery, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku-gun, Japan
| | - Takeo Kosaka
- Department of Surgery, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku-gun, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Minato
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Etsuko Kiyokawa
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku-gun, Japan
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Jurescu A, Văduva A, Tăban S, Gheju A, Olteanu G, Mihai I, Lăzureanu C, Cornianu M, Lazăr F, Dema A. Poorly differentiated clusters: prognostic significance in colorectal carcinomas immunohistochemistry images. POL J PATHOL 2019; 70:235-45. [PMID: 32146792 DOI: 10.5114/pjp.2019.93125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major public health burden worldwide, despite increased knowledge on its pathogenesis and advances in therapy. We aimed to evaluate a new histological grading system based on poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) counting - the PDCs grade (PDCs-G), and its clinicopathological and prognostic significance, compared to the World Health Organisation (WHO) grading system (WHO grade). We reviewed 71 surgical resection specimens for CRC from the Emergency County Hospital "Pius Brînzeu" Timisoara. The cases were graded using the WHO grade and the PDCs-G, with further analysis of their association with the other recognised prognostic parameters. Using the WHO grade, 9% of the analysed cases were G1, 80% G2, 11% G3, and none of the tumours was graded G4, while in the PDCs-G 16% were G1, 45% G2, and 39% G3. In multivariate analysis PDCs-G was significantly associated with the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage of the disease (AJCC stage) (p = 0.0003), depth of invasion (pT) (p = 0.0084), nodal status (LNM) (p < 0.0001), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p < 0.0001), perineural invasion (PNI) (p < 0.0052), and tumour border configuration (p < 0.0001). The novel grading system based on PDCs counting is an additional histological tool in the evaluation of CRC and a promising new prognostic factor for these patients.
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Caie PD, Zhou Y, Turnbull AK, Oniscu A, Harrison DJ. Novel histopathologic feature identified through image analysis augments stage II colorectal cancer clinical reporting. Oncotarget 2018; 7:44381-44394. [PMID: 27322148 PMCID: PMC5190104 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of candidate histopathologic factors show promise in identifying stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at a high risk of disease-specific death, however they can suffer from low reproducibility and none have replaced classical pathologic staging. We developed an image analysis algorithm which standardized the quantification of specific histopathologic features and exported a multi-parametric feature-set captured without bias. The image analysis algorithm was executed across a training set (n = 50) and the resultant big data was distilled through decision tree modelling to identify the most informative parameters to sub-categorize stage II CRC patients. The most significant, and novel, parameter identified was the ‘sum area of poorly differentiated clusters’ (AreaPDC). This feature was validated across a second cohort of stage II CRC patients (n = 134) (HR = 4; 95% CI, 1.5– 11). Finally, the AreaPDC was integrated with the significant features within the clinical pathology report, pT stage and differentiation, into a novel prognostic index (HR = 7.5; 95% CI, 3–18.5) which improved upon current clinical staging (HR = 4.26; 95% CI, 1.7– 10.3). The identification of poorly differentiated clusters as being highly significant in disease progression presents evidence to suggest that these features could be the source of novel targets to decrease the risk of disease specific death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Caie
- Quantitative and Digital Pathology, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK.,Digital Pathology Unit, Laboratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Ying Zhou
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Arran K Turnbull
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Anca Oniscu
- Quantitative and Digital Pathology, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK.,Digital Pathology Unit, Laboratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - David J Harrison
- Quantitative and Digital Pathology, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK.,Digital Pathology Unit, Laboratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
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Yang M, Rehman AU, Zuo C, Sheehan CE, Lee EC, Lin J, Zhao Z, Choi E, Lee H. A novel histologic grading scheme based on poorly differentiated clusters is applicable to treated rectal cancer and is associated with established histopathological prognosticators. Cancer Med 2016; 5:1510-8. [PMID: 27165693 PMCID: PMC4867664 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The conventional histologic grading of colorectal cancer (CRC) is less suited for resected rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Enumeration of poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) is a recently proposed histologic grading scheme. We aimed to apply PDC grading to treated rectal cancer and to test the prognostic significance of this novel approach. Archived hematoxylin and eosin slides of 72 rectal adenocarcinomas resected following neoadjuvant treatment were retrieved. PDC, tumor budding, and tumor regression were assessed. The parameters were correlated with clinicopathological features and survival. PDC was strongly associated with tumor budding, perineural invasion (PNI), metastasis, and low degree of tumor regression. Tumor budding was significantly associated with lymphovascular invasion and PNI, and metastasis. Tumors with a lower degree of regression were more likely to show high pathologic T stage and advanced clinical stage. Local recurrence was associated with poor survival. PDC did not correlate with overall survival. PDC grading is applicable to resected rectal cancer status post neoadjuvant treatment and correlates with established histopathological prognosticators. PDC and tumor budding may represent a histologic spectrum reflective of the same biological significance. Validation and incorporation of these simple histologic grading schemes may strengthen the prognostic power of the histologic parameters that influence the oncologic outcome in treated rectal cancer. Further study to evaluate the significance of PDC as an oncologic prognosticator is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Aseeb Ur Rehman
- Anatomic Pathology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Chunlai Zuo
- Anatomic Pathology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | | | - Edward C Lee
- Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
| | - Jingmei Lin
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Zijin Zhao
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Euna Choi
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Hwajeong Lee
- Anatomic Pathology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
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