Prognostic relevance of occult tumour cells in lymph nodes in colorectal cancer

Presently, in Europe the treatment of node-negative colorectal cancer (CRC) patients consists of surgical resection of the primary tumour without adjuvant systemic therapy. However, up to 30% of these patients will develop disease recurrence. These high-risk patients are possibly identified by occul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of surgical oncology 2006-04, Vol.32 (3), p.253-258
Main Authors: Doekhie, F.S., Kuppen, P.J.K., Peeters, K.C.M.J., Mesker, W.E., van Soest, R.A., Morreau, H., van de Velde, C.J.H., Tanke, H.J., Tollenaar, R.A.E.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies, Neoplasm - analysis
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics
Colorectal Neoplasms - immunology
Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology
DNA, Neoplasm - analysis
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Isolated tumour cells
Lymph Nodes - pathology
Lymphatic Metastasis
Micrometastases
Occult tumour cells
Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Summary:Presently, in Europe the treatment of node-negative colorectal cancer (CRC) patients consists of surgical resection of the primary tumour without adjuvant systemic therapy. However, up to 30% of these patients will develop disease recurrence. These high-risk patients are possibly identified by occult tumour cell (OTC) assessment in lymph nodes. In this paper, studies on the clinical relevance of OTC in lymph nodes are reviewed. A literature search was conducted in the National Library of Medicine by using the keywords colonic, rectal, colorectal, neoplasm, adenocarcinoma, cancer, lymph node, polymerase chain reaction, mRNA, immunohistochemistry, micrometastases and isolated tumour cells. Additional articles were identified by cross-referencing from papers retrieved in the initial search. The upstaging percentages through OTC assessment and the prognostic relevance of OTC in lymph nodes vary among studies, which is related to differences in techniques used to detect OTC. We conclude that OTC examination techniques should be standardized to illuminate whether OTC in lymph nodes can reliably identify high-risk node-negative patients.
ISSN:0748-7983
1532-2157
DOI:10.1016/j.ejso.2005.10.010