Difference between revisions of "Colorectal adenocarcinoma"

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| IF        =
| IF        =
| Gross      =
| Gross      =
| Grossing  =
| Grossing  = [[lower anterior resection for cancer grossing]], other protocols
| Staging    = [[colorectal cancer staging]]
| Site      = [[rectum]], [[colon]], [[cecum]], [[appendix]]
| Site      = [[rectum]], [[colon]], [[cecum]], [[appendix]]
| Assdx      = long standing IBD ([[Crohn's disease]], [[ulcerative colitis]]), [[traditional adenoma]] esp. with high-grade dysplasia, [[sessile serrated adenoma]] esp. with dysplasia
| Assdx      = long standing IBD ([[Crohn's disease]], [[ulcerative colitis]]), [[traditional adenoma]] esp. with high-grade dysplasia, [[sessile serrated adenoma]] esp. with dysplasia
Line 21: Line 22:
| Symptoms  = +/-constipation
| Symptoms  = +/-constipation
| Prevalence = common
| Prevalence = common
| Bloodwork  = +/-[[anemia]] (microcytic)
| Bloodwork  = +/-[[anemia]] (microcytic), +/-CEA elevated
| Rads      = +/-"apple core" lesion (classic), +/-findings of bowel obstruction (air-fluid levels esp. with transition point)
| Rads      = +/-"apple core" lesion (classic), +/-findings of bowel obstruction (air-fluid levels esp. with transition point)
| Endoscopy  = +/-suspicious mass (exophytic or ulcerated), presence of non-lifting sign, [[Kudo pit pattern]] Type V<sub>I</sub> or Type V<sub>N</sub>
| Endoscopy  = +/-suspicious mass (exophytic or ulcerated), presence of non-lifting sign, [[Kudo pit pattern]] Type V<sub>I</sub> or Type V<sub>N</sub>
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| Tx        = usually surgical resection +/-chemotherapy +/-radiation
| Tx        = usually surgical resection +/-chemotherapy +/-radiation
}}
}}
'''Colorectal adenocarcinoma''' is very common, and a leading cause of death due to [[cancer]].  
'''Colorectal adenocarcinoma''' is very common, a leading cause of death due to [[cancer]], and the most common form of colon cancer.  


The [[colon]] and [[rectum]] are lumped together as the mucosa in the large bowel is very similar. Thus, '''colonic adenocarcinoma''' and '''rectal adenocarcinoma''' redirect to this article.
The [[colon]] and [[rectum]] are lumped together as the mucosa in the large bowel is very similar. Thus, '''colonic adenocarcinoma''' and '''rectal adenocarcinoma''' redirect to this article.
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*Constipation.  
*Constipation.  
*Symptoms of bowel obstruction - nausea, vomiting.
*Symptoms of bowel obstruction - nausea, vomiting.
*Weight loss.


Pathogenesis - see ''[[Colorectal_tumours#Pathogenesis_of_colorectal_carcinoma|pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma]]''.
Pathogenesis - see ''[[Colorectal_tumours#Pathogenesis_of_colorectal_carcinoma|pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma]]''.
Line 88: Line 90:
**Glands.
**Glands.
**Sheets.
**Sheets.
DDx:
*Other [[adenocarcinoma]]s (e.g. [[anal gland adenocarcinoma]], [[lung adenocarcinoma]], [[ovarian adenocarcinoma]], [[ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate]]).
*[[Traditional adenoma]] esp. with high-grade dysplasia.
*[[Sessile serrated adenoma]] with dysplasia.


===Images===
===Images===
Line 109: Line 116:
Image:Crc_met_to_node1.jpg | CRC [[lymph node metastasis]]. (WC/Nephron)
Image:Crc_met_to_node1.jpg | CRC [[lymph node metastasis]]. (WC/Nephron)
</gallery>
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:3 13657755265018 sl 1.png|Medullary carcinoma of cecum.
File:3 13657755265018 sl 2.png|Medullary carcinoma of cecum.
File:3 13657755265018 sl 3.png|Medullary carcinoma of cecum.
File:3 13657755265018 sl 4.png|Medullary carcinoma of cecum.
</gallery>
Medullary carcinoma of cecum of elderly woman. A. Tumor extends from the luminal surface at upper left into the muscularis propria at lower right. Note variable longitudinal spaces in the tumor. B. Tumor extends into pericolic fat. Note relative circumscription, with pushing borders. C. Tumor cells, often in seeming syncitiums, strew lymphocytes. D. In other areas, there appears to be a pattern suggesting nests and stromal trabeculums. Chromogranin/synaptophysin were negative.
www:
www:
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/euthman/2480926690/in/set-72057594114099781 Colorectal adenocarcinoma (flickr.com/euthman)].
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/euthman/2480926690/in/set-72057594114099781 Colorectal adenocarcinoma (flickr.com/euthman)].


===Grading===
===Grading===
8th edition of AJCC - based on component composed of glands:
*Grade 1: >95% of tumour = ''well-differentiated''.
*Grade 2: >=50-95% of tumour = ''moderately differentiated''.
*Grade 3: <50% of tumour = ''poorly-differentiated''.
*Grade 4: 0% glandular, no mucin, no squamous differentiation = ''undifferentiated''.
====Old system====
Based on component composed of glands:
Based on component composed of glands:
*>=50% of tumour = low-grade (''well-differentiated'' and ''moderately differentiated'').
*>=50% of tumour = low-grade (''well-differentiated'' and ''moderately differentiated'').
*<50% of tumour = high-grade (''poorly-differentiated'' and ''undifferentiated'').
*<50% of tumour = high-grade (''poorly-differentiated'' and ''undifferentiated'').


===Peritumour lymphocytic response===
===Peritumoural lymphocytic response===
*[[AKA]] ''Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction''.
*[[AKA]] ''Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction''.
*[[AKA]] ''Crohn's like reaction''.<ref name=pmid19825961>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Ogino | first1 = S. | last2 = Nosho | first2 = K. | last3 = Irahara | first3 = N. | last4 = Meyerhardt | first4 = JA. | last5 = Baba | first5 = Y. | last6 = Shima | first6 = K. | last7 = Glickman | first7 = JN. | last8 = Ferrone | first8 = CR. | last9 = Mino-Kenudson | first9 = M. | title = Lymphocytic reaction to colorectal cancer is associated with longer survival, independent of lymph node count, microsatellite instability, and CpG island methylator phenotype. | journal = Clin Cancer Res | volume = 15 | issue = 20 | pages = 6412-20 | month = Oct | year = 2009 | doi = 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-09-1438 | PMID = 19825961 }}</ref>
*[[AKA]] ''Crohn's like reaction''.<ref name=pmid19825961>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Ogino | first1 = S. | last2 = Nosho | first2 = K. | last3 = Irahara | first3 = N. | last4 = Meyerhardt | first4 = JA. | last5 = Baba | first5 = Y. | last6 = Shima | first6 = K. | last7 = Glickman | first7 = JN. | last8 = Ferrone | first8 = CR. | last9 = Mino-Kenudson | first9 = M. | title = Lymphocytic reaction to colorectal cancer is associated with longer survival, independent of lymph node count, microsatellite instability, and CpG island methylator phenotype. | journal = Clin Cancer Res | volume = 15 | issue = 20 | pages = 6412-20 | month = Oct | year = 2009 | doi = 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-09-1438 | PMID = 19825961 }}</ref>
*[[AKA]] ''Crohn-like response''.<ref>URL: [http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/committees/cancer/cancer_protocols/2012/Colon_12protocol_3200.pdf http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/committees/cancer/cancer_protocols/2012/Colon_12protocol_3200.pdf]. Accessed on: 14 September 2012.</ref>
*[[AKA]] ''Crohn-like response''.<ref>URL: [http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/committees/cancer/cancer_protocols/2012/Colon_12protocol_3200.pdf http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/committees/cancer/cancer_protocols/2012/Colon_12protocol_3200.pdf]. Accessed on: 14 September 2012.</ref>
 
{{Main|Peritumoural lymphocytic response}}
====General====
*Finding associated with improved survival in CRC.<ref name=pmid7821914 >{{Cite journal  | last1 = Harrison | first1 = JC. | last2 = Dean | first2 = PJ. | last3 = el-Zeky | first3 = F. | last4 = Vander Zwaag | first4 = R. | title = Impact of the Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction on staging of right-sided colon cancer: results of multivariate analysis. | journal = Hum Pathol | volume = 26 | issue = 1 | pages = 31-8 | month = Jan | year = 1995 | doi =  | PMID = 7821914 }}</ref>
 
====Microscopic====
[[Onlinepathology]] advocates use of the Ueno criteria. They have a better inter-rater reproducibility than the older Graham criteria<ref name=pmid2362940/> and are less complicated.
 
=====Ueno criteria (2013)=====
Required criteria:<ref name=pmid23525613>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Ueno | first1 = H. | last2 = Hashiguchi | first2 = Y. | last3 = Shimazaki | first3 = H. | last4 = Shinto | first4 = E. | last5 = Kajiwara | first5 = Y. | last6 = Nakanishi | first6 = K. | last7 = Kato | first7 = K. | last8 = Maekawa | first8 = K. | last9 = Miyai | first9 = K. | title = Objective Criteria for Crohn-like Lymphoid Reaction in Colorectal Cancer. | journal = Am J Clin Pathol | volume = 139 | issue = 4 | pages = 434-41 | month = Apr | year = 2013 | doi = 10.1309/AJCPWHUEFTGBWKE4 | PMID = 23525613 }}</ref>
*Non-MALT lymphoid aggregates (peritumoural) >= 1 mm.
 
Ignore:
#Muscosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) = mucosal lymphoid aggregates, submucosal lymphoid aggregates adjacent to the musuclaris mucosae.
#Lymph nodes - these have a (fibrous) capsule.
#Irregular shape (not round).
 
=====Graham criteria (1990)=====
Required criteria:<ref name=pmid2362940>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Graham | first1 = DM. | last2 = Appelman | first2 = HD. | title = Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction and colorectal carcinoma: a potential histologic prognosticator. | journal = Mod Pathol | volume = 3 | issue = 3 | pages = 332-5 | month = May | year = 1990 | doi =  | PMID = 2362940 }}</ref>
*Peritumoral:
*#Lymphoid aggregates with germinal centres focally.
*#Stellate fibrosis.
*#No previous clinical and pathologic evidence of [[Crohn's disease]].
 
Note:
*Should '''not''' be confused with [[intratumoural lymphocytic response]].
**The intratumoural lymphocytic response is associated with MSI-H cancers.
 
=====Images=====
<gallery>
Image:Peritumour lymphocytic response - low mag.jpg | PLR - low mag. (WC)
Image:Peritumour lymphocytic response - intermed mag.jpg | PLR - intermed. mag. (WC)
</gallery>
www:
*[http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/content/62/8/679/F2.large.jpg Peritumour lymphocytic response in endometrial carcinoma (bmjjournals.com)].
*[http://ajcp.ascpjournals.org/content/134/3/478/F3.expansion.html Peritumour lymphocytic response in CRC (ascpjournals.org)].<ref name=pmid20716806>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Ross | first1 = JS. | last2 = Torres-Mora | first2 = J. | last3 = Wagle | first3 = N. | last4 = Jennings | first4 = TA. | last5 = Jones | first5 = DM. | title = Biomarker-based prediction of response to therapy for colorectal cancer: current perspective. | journal = Am J Clin Pathol | volume = 134 | issue = 3 | pages = 478-90 | month = Sep | year = 2010 | doi = 10.1309/AJCP2Y8KTDPOAORH | PMID = 20716806 | URL = http://ajcp.ascpjournals.org/content/134/3/478.full}}</ref>


===Intratumoural lymphocytic response===
===Intratumoural lymphocytic response===
*[[AKA]] '' tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes'', abbreviated ''TILs''.
*[[AKA]] '' tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes'', abbreviated ''TILs''.
 
{{Main|Intratumoural lymphocytic response in colorectal carcinoma}}
====General====
*Finding is suggestive of microsatellite instabillity.<ref name=pmid21114775>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Iacopetta | first1 = B. | last2 = Grieu | first2 = F. | last3 = Amanuel | first3 = B. | title = Microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer. | journal = Asia Pac J Clin Oncol | volume = 6 | issue = 4 | pages = 260-9 | month = Dec | year = 2010 | doi = 10.1111/j.1743-7563.2010.01335.x | PMID = 21114775 }}</ref>
**May be seen in the context of [[Lynch syndrome]].
 
====Microscopic====
Features:
*Lymphocytes are between the tumour cells.<ref name=pmid19638537/> †
**Other lymphocytes do not count.
 
Note:
* † Definitions vary substantially - some authors consider lymphocytes adjacent to the tumour (in the stroma around the tumour cells) "intratumoural".<reF name=pmid9349235>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Ropponen | first1 = KM. | last2 = Eskelinen | first2 = MJ. | last3 = Lipponen | first3 = PK. | last4 = Alhava | first4 = E. | last5 = Kosma | first5 = VM. | title = Prognostic value of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in colorectal cancer. | journal = J Pathol | volume = 182 | issue = 3 | pages = 318-24 | month = Jul | year = 1997 | doi = 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9896(199707)182:3318::AID-PATH8623.0.CO;2-6 | PMID = 9349235 |URL = http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/%28SICI%291096-9896%28199707%29182:3%3C318::AID-PATH862%3E3.0.CO;2-6/pdf}}</ref>
 
=====Images=====
<gallery>
Image: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes - 1 -- high mag.jpg | TILs - high mag. (WC)
Image: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes - 1 -- very high mag.jpg | TILS - very high mag. (WC)
Image: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes - 2 -- high mag.jpg | TILs - high mag.
Image: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes - 2 -- very high mag.jpg | TILs - very high mag.
Image: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes - 2 -- extremely high mag.jpg | TILs - extremely high mag.
</gallery>
www:
*[http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/content/62/8/679/F3.large.jpg TILs in endometrial carcinoma (bmjjournals.com)].<ref name=pmid19638537>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Garg | first1 = K. | last2 = Soslow | first2 = RA. | title = Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) and endometrial carcinoma. | journal = J Clin Pathol | volume = 62 | issue = 8 | pages = 679-84 | month = Aug | year = 2009 | doi = 10.1136/jcp.2009.064949 | PMID = 19638537 | URL = http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/content/62/8/679.full?related-urls=yes&legid=jclinpath;62/8/679 }}</ref>
*[http://ajcp.ascpjournals.org/content/134/3/478/F2.expansion.html TILs in CRC (ascpjournals.org)].<ref name=pmid20716806/>


===Tumour deposits===
===Tumour deposits===
*[[AKA]] ''discoutinuous extramural extension''.
*[[AKA]] ''discoutinuous extramural extension''.
*[[AKA]] ''peritumoral deposits''.
*[[AKA]] ''peritumoral deposits''.
====General====
{{Main|Tumour deposit}}
Definition - TNM/AJCC 7th edition:<ref name=pmid21555695/>
*Microscopic or macroscopic nodule in the lymphatic drainage bed of the tumour.
**No standardized distance (from tumour) criteria are defined.<ref name=pmid24112678>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Ueno | first1 = H. | last2 = Hashiguchi | first2 = Y. | last3 = Shimazaki | first3 = H. | last4 = Shinto | first4 = E. | last5 = Kajiwara | first5 = Y. | last6 = Nakanishi | first6 = K. | last7 = Kato | first7 = K. | last8 = Maekawa | first8 = K. | last9 = Nakamura | first9 = T. | title = Peritumoral deposits as an adverse prognostic indicator of colorectal cancer. | journal = Am J Surg | volume =  | issue =  | pages =  | month = Oct | year = 2013 | doi = 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2013.04.009 | PMID = 24112678 }}</ref>
*No findings suggestive of it being a lymph node replaced by tumour:
*#No significant lymphoid tissue.
*#Irregular contour.
*#*Round nodules of tumour are considered lymph nodes that are replaced by tumour.
 
Significance:
*Poor prognosticator.
**Can be understood as a type of invasive front/border, e.g. ''well-circumscribed border'' versus ''infiltrative border''.<ref name=pmid24112678/>
 
Staging implications:
*Tumour deposits are '''not''' counted as (positive) lymph nodes<ref name=pmid21555695>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Nagtegaal | first1 = ID. | last2 = Tot | first2 = T. | last3 = Jayne | first3 = DG. | last4 = McShane | first4 = P. | last5 = Nihlberg | first5 = A. | last6 = Marshall | first6 = HC. | last7 = Påhlman | first7 = L. | last8 = Brown | first8 = JM. | last9 = Guillou | first9 = PJ. | title = Lymph nodes, tumor deposits, and TNM: are we getting better? | journal = J Clin Oncol | volume = 29 | issue = 18 | pages = 2487-92 | month = Jun | year = 2011 | doi = 10.1200/JCO.2011.34.6429 | PMID = 21555695 }}</ref> and in the context of positive lymph nodes do not change the N stage.
**If no positive lymph nodes are present, the N stage is pN1c.
*The T stage is ''not'' affected by tumour deposits.<ref name=pmid21555695/>
 
Note:
*The definition of ''tumour deposit'' has changed significantly between the TMN/AJCC fifth, sixth and seventh editions.<ref name=pmid21555695/>
 
=====Ueno criteria=====
Ueno ''et al.'' propose that a tumour deposit is either:<ref name=pmid24112678/>
#>=2 mm from the tumour front.
#>=2 mm (radially) from the deepest aspect of the muscularis propria, if the tumour is not present in the plane of section.


===Tumour regression===
===Tumour regression===
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==IHC==
==IHC==
*CK7 -ve.
*CK7 -ve.
*CK20 +ve.
*CK20 +ve.
*CEA +ve.
*CEA +ve.
*CDX2 +ve.
*CDX2 +ve.
Note:
* ‡ High stage colorectal cancer (CRC) may be CK7 +ve/CK20 +ve; in one series, 13% of stage 3 and 17% of stage 4 colorectal cancers were CK7 +ve/CK20 +ve.<ref name=pmid15791572>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Hernandez | first1 = BY. | last2 = Frierson | first2 = HF. | last3 = Moskaluk | first3 = CA. | last4 = Li | first4 = YJ. | last5 = Clegg | first5 = L. | last6 = Cote | first6 = TR. | last7 = McCusker | first7 = ME. | last8 = Hankey | first8 = BF. | last9 = Edwards | first9 = BK. | title = CK20 and CK7 protein expression in colorectal cancer: demonstration of the utility of a population-based tissue microarray. | journal = Hum Pathol | volume = 36 | issue = 3 | pages = 275-81 | month = Mar | year = 2005 | doi = 10.1016/j.humpath.2005.01.013 | PMID = 15791572 }}</ref>


==Molecular==
==Molecular==
*KRAS mutation analysis.
*[[KRAS mutation]] analysis.
**Mutation present ~ 40% of [[CRC]].
**Mutation present ~ 40% of [[CRC]].
**Mutations in codons 12 or 13 associated with failure of [[EGFR inhibitors|anti-EGFR therapy]] (e.g. ''cetuximab'', ''panitumumab'').<ref name=pmid19792050>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Monzon | first1 = FA. | last2 = Ogino | first2 = S. | last3 = Hammond | first3 = ME. | last4 = Halling | first4 = KC. | last5 = Bloom | first5 = KJ. | last6 = Nikiforova | first6 = MN. | title = The role of KRAS mutation testing in the management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. | journal = Arch Pathol Lab Med | volume = 133 | issue = 10 | pages = 1600-6 | month = Oct | year = 2009 | doi = 10.1043/1543-2165-133.10.1600 | PMID = 19792050 }}</ref>
**Mutations in codons 12 or 13 associated with failure of [[EGFR inhibitors|anti-EGFR therapy]] (e.g. ''cetuximab'', ''panitumumab'').<ref name=pmid19792050>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Monzon | first1 = FA. | last2 = Ogino | first2 = S. | last3 = Hammond | first3 = ME. | last4 = Halling | first4 = KC. | last5 = Bloom | first5 = KJ. | last6 = Nikiforova | first6 = MN. | title = The role of KRAS mutation testing in the management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. | journal = Arch Pathol Lab Med | volume = 133 | issue = 10 | pages = 1600-6 | month = Oct | year = 2009 | doi = 10.1043/1543-2165-133.10.1600 | PMID = 19792050 }}</ref>
*BRAF mutation analysis.
*BRAF mutation analysis.
**''V600E'' missense mutation found in ~10% CRC.<ref name=pmid20635392>{{cite journal |author=Tie J, Gibbs P, Lipton L, ''et al.'' |title=Optimizing targeted therapeutic development: Analysis of a colorectal cancer patient population with the BRAF(V600E) mutation |journal=Int J Cancer |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2010 |month=July |pmid=20635392 |doi=10.1002/ijc.25555 |url=}}</ref>
**''V600E'' missense mutation found in ~10% CRC.<ref name=pmid20635392>{{cite journal |author=Tie J, Gibbs P, Lipton L, ''et al.'' |title=Optimizing targeted therapeutic development: Analysis of a colorectal cancer patient population with the BRAF(V600E) mutation |journal=Int J Cancer |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2010 |month=July |pmid=20635392 |doi=10.1002/ijc.25555 |url=}}</ref>
*Microsatellite instability - see ''[[microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer]]''.


Note:
Note:
Line 275: Line 220:
-- TWELVE LYMPH NODES NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY ( 0 POSITIVE / 12 ).
-- TWELVE LYMPH NODES NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY ( 0 POSITIVE / 12 ).
-- PLEASE SEE TUMOUR SUMMARY.
-- PLEASE SEE TUMOUR SUMMARY.
</pre>
===Biomarker and molecular testing===
<pre>
The Colorectal Cancer Panel (BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, PTEN) was ordered on block {}. MMR testing was ordered on block {}.
</pre>
</pre>



Latest revision as of 14:43, 19 December 2023

Colorectal adenocarcinoma
Diagnosis in short

Colorectal adenocarcinoma. H&E stain.
LM DDx other adenocarcinomas (e.g. anal gland adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, ovarian adenocarcinoma), traditional adenoma esp. with high-grade dysplasia, sessile serrated adenoma with dysplasia
IHC CK20 +ve, CDX2 +ve, CK7 -ve, beta-catenin (nuclear) +ve
Grossing notes lower anterior resection for cancer grossing, other protocols
Staging colorectal cancer staging
Site rectum, colon, cecum, appendix

Associated Dx long standing IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), traditional adenoma esp. with high-grade dysplasia, sessile serrated adenoma esp. with dysplasia
Syndromes familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Juvenile polyposis syndrome, serrated polyposis syndrome, MUTYH polyposis syndrome, Cowden syndrome

Signs +/-blood in stools, +/-abdominal mass, +/-rectal mass, +/-signs of bowel obstruction (nausea, vomiting), +/-narrow caliber stools
Symptoms +/-constipation
Prevalence common
Blood work +/-anemia (microcytic), +/-CEA elevated
Radiology +/-"apple core" lesion (classic), +/-findings of bowel obstruction (air-fluid levels esp. with transition point)
Endoscopy +/-suspicious mass (exophytic or ulcerated), presence of non-lifting sign, Kudo pit pattern Type VI or Type VN
Prognosis good to poor
Other fecal occult blood test (FOBT) +ve
Clin. DDx colorectal tumours, other causes - DDx dependent on presentation
Treatment usually surgical resection +/-chemotherapy +/-radiation

Colorectal adenocarcinoma is very common, a leading cause of death due to cancer, and the most common form of colon cancer.

The colon and rectum are lumped together as the mucosa in the large bowel is very similar. Thus, colonic adenocarcinoma and rectal adenocarcinoma redirect to this article.

The larger generally topic of colorectal tumours and the pathogenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma is dealt with in the colorectal tumours article.

Colorectal carcinoma, abbreviated CRC, is typically considered a synonym. Cecal adenocarcinoma is also lumped into CRC.

General

  • Very common.
  • Rectum and sigmoid > proximal large bowel.

Presentation:

Pathogenesis - see pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma.

Clinical - serum:

  • CEA elevated.[1]
  • CA19-9 elevated.
  • Colon cancer-specific antigen-2 (CCSA-2) elevated.[2]
    • Relatively new; preliminary in 2014.

Gross

Often circumferential or near circumferential:

  • These are referred to as "apple core lesion" or "napkin-ring" lesion.

Mucosa:

  • Granular appearance.
  • Raised (exophytic) or heaped edges with ulceration.

Note:

  • Total mesorectal excisions should be assessed for completeness.
  • The (soft tissue) radial margins, as present in TMEs and right hemicolectomies, should be inked.[3][4]

Images

Microscopic

Features:

  • Nuclear atypia:
    • Nuclear pseudostratification.
    • Nuclear hyperchromasia.
    • Chromatin clearing or granularity.
  • +/-Necrosis.
  • Architecture - important for grading:
    • Glands.
    • Sheets.

DDx:

Images

Medullary carcinoma of cecum of elderly woman. A. Tumor extends from the luminal surface at upper left into the muscularis propria at lower right. Note variable longitudinal spaces in the tumor. B. Tumor extends into pericolic fat. Note relative circumscription, with pushing borders. C. Tumor cells, often in seeming syncitiums, strew lymphocytes. D. In other areas, there appears to be a pattern suggesting nests and stromal trabeculums. Chromogranin/synaptophysin were negative.

www:

Grading

8th edition of AJCC - based on component composed of glands:

  • Grade 1: >95% of tumour = well-differentiated.
  • Grade 2: >=50-95% of tumour = moderately differentiated.
  • Grade 3: <50% of tumour = poorly-differentiated.
  • Grade 4: 0% glandular, no mucin, no squamous differentiation = undifferentiated.

Old system

Based on component composed of glands:

  • >=50% of tumour = low-grade (well-differentiated and moderately differentiated).
  • <50% of tumour = high-grade (poorly-differentiated and undifferentiated).

Peritumoural lymphocytic response

  • AKA Crohn's-like lymphoid reaction.
  • AKA Crohn's like reaction.[5]
  • AKA Crohn-like response.[6]

Intratumoural lymphocytic response

  • AKA tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, abbreviated TILs.

Tumour deposits

  • AKA discoutinuous extramural extension.
  • AKA peritumoral deposits.

Tumour regression

There is a three tiered regression grading system by Ryan et al. for colorectal cancer that has essentially been adopted by CAP:[7]

Grade Features
Grade 1 small groups of tumour cells or single tumour cells
Grade 2 definite tumour but more fibrosis ("cancer outgrown by fibrosis")
Grade 3 definite tumour with no fibrosis or tumour with a lesser amount of fibrosis ("fibrosis outgrown by cancer")

IHC

  • CK7 -ve. ‡
  • CK20 +ve.
  • CEA +ve.
  • CDX2 +ve.

Note:

  • ‡ High stage colorectal cancer (CRC) may be CK7 +ve/CK20 +ve; in one series, 13% of stage 3 and 17% of stage 4 colorectal cancers were CK7 +ve/CK20 +ve.[8]

Molecular

Note:

  • KRAS mutations and BRAF mutations are considered mutually exclusive as they occur in the same pathway.

Sign out

Right hemicolectomy

TERMINAL ILEUM, CECUM, ASCENDING COLON AND APPENDIX, RIGHT HEMICOLECTOMY:
- INVASIVE ADENOCARCINOMA, LOW-GRADE, pT2, pN0.
-- MARGINS NEGATIVE FOR DYSPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.
-- PLEASE SEE TUMOUR SUMMARY.
- SMALL BOWEL WALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.
- APPENDIX WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PATHOLOGY.
- TWELVE LYMPH NODES NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY ( 0 POSITIVE / 12 ).

Mucinous component present

TERMINAL ILEUM, CECUM, ASCENDING COLON AND APPENDIX, RIGHT HEMICOLECTOMY:
- INVASIVE ADENOCARCINOMA WITH A MUCINOUS COMPONENT, LOW-GRADE, pT1, pN0.
-- MARGINS NEGATIVE FOR DYSPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.
-- PLEASE SEE TUMOUR SUMMARY.
- SMALL BOWEL WALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.
- APPENDIX WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PATHOLOGY.
- FOURTEEN LYMPH NODES NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY ( 0 POSITIVE / 14 ).

Left hemicolectomy

LEFT COLON, LEFT HEMICOLECTOMY:
- INVASIVE ADENOCARCINOMA, LOW-GRADE, pT1, pN0.
-- MARGINS NEGATIVE FOR DYSPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.
-- TWELVE LYMPH NODES NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY ( 0 POSITIVE / 12 ).
-- PLEASE SEE TUMOUR SUMMARY.

Biomarker and molecular testing

The Colorectal Cancer Panel (BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, PTEN) was ordered on block {}. MMR testing was ordered on block {}.

See also

References

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