Phenotypic heterogeneity in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer: identical germline mutations associated with variable tumour morphology and immunohistochemical expression

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology 2007-07, Vol.60 (7), p.781-786
• Main Authors: Halvarsson, Britta, Müller, Wolfram, Planck, Maria, Benoni, Anna Clara, Mangell, Peter, Ottosson, Johan, Hallén, Magnus, Isinger, Anna, Nilbert, Mef
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenoma - genetics; Adenoma - metabolism; Adenoma - pathology; adenomatous polyposis coli; Adult; Age; Aged; APC; beta Catenin - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cloning; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis - genetics; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis - metabolism; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis - pathology; Endometrial cancer; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Germ-Line Mutation; hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer; heterogeneity; histopathology; HNPCC; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Laboratories; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; mismatch repair; MMR; Morphology; Mutation; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; Original; Ovarian cancer; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Phenotype; Statistical analysis; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; TIL; Tumors; tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2006.040402

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. Aims and Methods: 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 β-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.