The presence and significance of iron in neoplasia of the colorectum.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the presence and distribution of tissue iron in colon adenomas of all grades of dysplasia as well as colorectal carcinomas of all grades of differentiation.


METHODS
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 8 biopsies of colon adenomas and 13 surgical specimens of colorectal carcinoma were studied. Consecutive sections were stained using Perls' stain that demonstrates the presence of ferric iron by staining it blue.


RESULTS
Iron was absent in all cases of colon adenoma. On the other hand, iron was present in 9 of the 13 cases of colorectal carcinoma (69.23%), regardless of the degree of differentiation, the location and the stage of development. The iron was stored in mesenchymal cells in the stroma and various types of inflammatory cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest association of iron presence in the environment of malignant cells. Thus, iron may be a carcinogenic factor, possibly facilitating tumour growth and modulating local immune response.
Labropoulou
E-P
EP
Department of Pathology, Hatzikostas General Hospital, Messolonghi, Greece.
Datsis
A
A
Kekelos
S
S
Rogdakis
A
A
Katsiki
E
E
Labropoulou
C-M
CM
Spiliotis
J
J
Christopoulou
A
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007501:Iron