Phenotypic heterogeneity in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer: identical germline mutations associated with variable tumour morphology and immunohistochemical expression.
BACKGROUND
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is associated with high risks for colorectal and endometrial cancer, young age at onset and an increased risk of multiple primary tumours. Colorectal cancer in HNPCC is characterised by poor tumour differentiation, an expanding growth pattern, and a pronounced lymphocytic reaction with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes.


OBJECTIVE
The mutation spectrum in HNPCC is diverse and in order to clarify whether the HNPCC tumour phenotype is influenced by the underlying genetic alteration, 29 colorectal cancers and 12 adenomas from 24 individuals in two HNPCC families were morphologically and immunohistochemically characterised.


RESULTS
The tumour morphology as well as the immunohistochemical expression of beta-catenin varied extensively within the families as well as between synchronous/metachronous colorectal cancers from the same individual. Poor tumour differentiation, an expanding growth pattern, and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes occurred at higher frequencies in proximal tumours, whereas distal colorectal cancers often lacked distinct HNPCC-associated morphological features.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical variability observed within these families indicates that other mechanisms than the underlying germline mutation influence the HNPCC phenotype. Since morphological features linked to HNPCC are less frequent in distal cancers, it may be particularly relevant to obtain family history and age of onset in these tumours in order to identify individuals with HNPCC.
Halvarsson
Britta
B
Department of Pathology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. britta.halvarsson@med.lu.se
Müller
Wolfram
W
Planck
Maria
M
Benoni
Anna Clara
AC
Mangell
Peter
P
Ottosson
Johan
J
Hallén
Magnus
M
Isinger
Anna
A
Nilbert
Mef
M
D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin