Node-negative colon cancer: histological, molecular, and stromal features predicting disease recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Within the group of node-negative colon cancer patients, presumed to have a good prognosis, a significant percentage of patients develops cancer-recurrence. Current high-risk features prove inadequate to select these particular high-risk patients. In the process of tailor-made care and shared decision-making the need to identify these patients grows. In this study we investigate the value of adding molecular markers and the tumour-stroma ratio (TSR) to conventional histological tumour staging methods to improve the selection of high risk patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 201 patients diagnosed with TNM-stage I-II colon cancer and treated by complete oncological resection between November 1st 2002 and December 31st 2012 at the Jeroen Bosch Hospital. Conventional histological tumour staging, BRAF mutations, KRAS mutations, MSI status and TSR were determined. Differences between groups based on TSR and mutation status, in disease free survival were analysed using Cox-Regression analyses. RESULTS: Poorly differentiated histology (p = 0.002), high-TSR (p = 0.033), BRAF-mutation (p = 0.008) and MSI (p = 0.011) were identified as significant risk factors for cancer recurrence. The risk of recurrence increased in the presence of both a BRAF-mutation and high-TSR compared to the absence of both factors or presence of only one factor (HR = 3.66 BRAF-mt/TSR-low (p = 0.006), HR 2.82 BRAF-wt/TSR-high (p = 0.015), HR = 4.39 BRAF-mt/TSR-high (p = 0.023)). This was also seen in tumours with MSI and high-TSR (HR = 2.46 MSS/TSR-high (p = 0.041), HR = 3.31 MSI/TSR-high (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Judging by the higher HR for the combination of the prognostic factors TSR and BRAF compared to the HRs of these prognostic factors individually, the prognostication for disease free survival can be improved by determining both TSR and BRAF instead of BRAF alone, as is done in current daily practise. In this study MSI also shows additional value to TSR in the prognostication of disease free survival. Adopting TSR into daily diagnostics will be of additional value next to currently used molecular markers in risk stratification of patients with node negative colon cancer and is therefore advised.

Colorectal metastasis to the gallbladder mimicking a primary gallbladder malignancy: histopathological and molecular characteristics.

AIMS: Outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment and survival have steadily improved during the past decades, accompanied by an increased risk of developing second primary tumours and metastatic tumours at unusual sites. Metastatic CRC can show mucosal colonisation, thereby mimicking a second primary tumour. This potential confusion could lead to incorrect diagnosis and consequently inadequate treatment of the patient. The aim of this study was to differentiate between metastatic CRC and a second primary (gallbladder cancer, GBC) using a combination of standard histopathology and molecular techniques. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients with both CRC and GBC were identified in our region using the Dutch National Pathology Archive (PALGA). Two patients served as negative controls. Histology of GBC was reviewed by nine pathologists. A combination of immunohistochemistry, microsatellite analysis, genomewide DNA copy number analysis and targeted somatic mutation analysis was used to aid in differential diagnosis. In two patients, CRC and GBC were clonally related, as confirmed by somatic mutation analysis. For one case, this was confirmed by genomewide DNA copy number analysis. However, in both cases, pathologists initially considered the GBC as a second primary tumour. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic CRC displaying mucosal colonisation is often misinterpreted as a second primary tumour. A combination of traditional histopathology and molecular techniques improves this interpretation, and lowers the risk of inadequate treatment.

[No need to spare the arm after axillary dissection: the prohibition on interventions such as venepuncture is obsolete]. / Onnodig om de arm te ontzien na okselklierdissectie: het verbod op handelingen als een venapunctie is obsolete.

Annually, around 11,500 patients are treated surgically for breast cancer. In the past, 5-25% of these underwent an axillary dissection. This procedure can entail complications such as lymphoedema. Known risk factors are obesity and infections or wounds in the arm concerned. There is a traditional assumption that interventions on this arm, such as venepuncture, infusion or measurement of blood pressure, may induce lymphoedema. This assumption has been queried in recent years. Based on our analysis of the current literature, we believe that the above-mentioned interventions after non-complicated axillary dissection do not increase the risk of lymphoedema or other complications. We recommend changing the policy that prohibits interventions such as venepuncture after axillary dissection.