title: Microsatellite instability and DNA ploidy in colorectal cancer: potential implications for patients undergoing systematic surveillance after resection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Appropriate stratification tools for targeted surveillance after resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) are lacking. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of microsatellite instability (MSI) and DNA ploidy on surveillance after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors evaluated 186 consecutive, population-based patients with stage I through III CRC who underwent surgery with curative intent and who entered a systematic surveillance program. MSI was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction for 5 known quasimonomorphic markers (BAT-26, BAT-25, NR-21, NR-24, and NR-27), and DNA ploidy was analyzed with automated cytometry. Recurrence, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistical tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with MSI (20%) were significantly younger than patients without MSI (median age, 61 years vs 67 years; P=.016). Proximal location (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.1-14.1 [P=.001]), large tumor size (>or=5 cm: AOR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.3-9.6 [P=.015]), and poor tumor differentiation (AOR, 6.6; 95% CI, 2-21.8 [P=.002]) were associated with MSI. MSI conveyed an increased risk for locoregional recurrence (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7 [P=.016]), with a trend toward a shorter time to recurrence (P=.060). Neither MSI status nor DNA ploidy predicted distant metastasis, RFS, or DSS. Lymph node status was the best predictor of distant spread (AOR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2-7.9 [P<.001]) and DSS (hazard ratio, 4.9; 95% CI, 2.6-9 [P<.001]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who had microsatellite instable tumors were at increased risk for locoregional recurrence, whereas lymph node status was the best predictor of distant metastasis. Clinical surveillance and choice of modality (ie, endoscopy vs radiologic imaging) may be improved when patients are stratified according to these cancer features.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. ksoreide@mac.com
authors.forename: Kjetil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Søreide
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slewa
authors.forename: Pål J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Stokkeland
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Diermen
authors.forename: Emiel A M
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.forename: Jon Arne
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Søreide
authors.forename: Jan P A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Baak
authors.forename: Hartwig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kørner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D053842:Microsatellite Instability; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor