Histological inflammatory cell infiltration is associated with the number of lymph nodes retrieved in colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Antitumor immune response is suggested to be a factor affecting the number of nodes retrieved after colorectal cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation of antitumor immune response with the number of retrieved nodes.


METHODS
Patients with colorectal cancer (n=63, TNM stage II and III) were enrolled. Inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) was assessed on hematoxylin and eosin staining and T-cell markers (CD3, CD8, CD45RO) were evaluated using immunohistochemical methods.


RESULTS
On univariate analysis, high ICI, CD3 and CD8 expression were associated with a greater number of nodes being retrieved. On multivariate analysis, tumors of the right colon (p=0.01) and high ICI (p=0.04) were independent predictors of a greater retrieval of nodes. TNM stage III tumor with low ICI was associated with reduced cancer-specific survival (p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
ICI influences the number of nodes retrieved and affects survival of patients with stage III disease. Antitumor immune response may be an underlying factor determining the number of nodes retrieved after surgery for colorectal cancer.
Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250 Seongsan-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-527, South Korea. Tel: +82 222282117, namkyuk@yuhs.ac.
Young Wan
YW
Kim
Khalilullah Mia
KM
Jan
Duck Hyun
DH
Jung
Mee Yon
MY
Cho
Nam Kyu
NK
Kim
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000401:mortality*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
CD3; CD8; Colorectal cancer; antitumor immune response; inflammatory cell infiltration; lymph node retrieval