Lectins and immunohistochemistry of colorectal cancer, its recurrences and metastases.
In 31 patients resected specimens from primary colorectal cancers, corresponding liver metastases and local recurrences were investigated for the staining pattern of lectins (PNL, UEA, WGA, HPA, SBA, RCA) and tissue antigens (CEA, SP, ACT) by immunohistochemistry. Comparison of staining patterns showed a loss of marker expression from normal colonic mucosa to colorectal primary carcinomas, and a tendency to marker loss from the primary tumour to liver metastases. However, even a neo-expression of markers not present in the primary tumour could be observed. For clinical use, serum markers observed in patient follow-up may be valuable even where the findings are negative at the time of primary tumour surgery. In contrast to the heterogenous marker map of primary tumours and metastases, comparison of primary and locally recurrent tumour revealed a staining pattern that was almost always identical. This supports the hypothesis that locoregional recurrences develop from remnant cells of the primary tumour left behind at surgery. There is no support for the thesis that locoregional recurrences arise from mucosal changes at the anastomosis or from suture material.
Hohenberger
P
P
Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, FRG.
Liewald
F
F
Schlag
P
P
Herfarth
C
C
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000556:secondary; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D037102:Lectins; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000556:secondary*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000032:analysis*
D037102:Lectins