Cr. Teixeira et al., CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN STAINING PATTERNS AT THE INVASIVE TUMOR MARGIN PREDICT THE MALIGNANT POTENTIAL OF COLORECTAL-CARCINOMA, Oncology, 51(3), 1994, pp. 230-233
Immunohistochemical carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) staining patterns a
t the invasive tumor margin were correlated with malignant potential i
n 64 advanced colorectal carcinomas. Twenty-two (34%) carcinomas showe
d an apical and 42 (66%) a cytoplasmic staining pattern. Carcinomas wi
th a cytoplasmic pattern had a higher incidence of lymph node (71 vers
us 41%; p < 0.05) and liver (50 versus 23%; p < 0.05) metastasis and h
igher levels of serum CEA (p < 0.01) than those with an apical stainin
g pattern. Nine of 11 recurrent tumors had a cytoplasmic pattern and 2
had an apical pattern (p < 0.05). Among carcinomas having the same de
gree of differentiation, those with a cytoplasmic CEA staining pattern
were more aggressive. Six (55%) well-differentiated carcinomas with a
cytoplasmic pattern metastasized to the liver while none with an apic
al pattern did (p < 0.05). Moderately differentiated carcinomas with a
cytoplasmic pattern had a significantly higher incidence of lymph nod
e metastasis than those with an apical pattern (77 versus 46%; p < 0.0
5). When colorectal carcinomas are examined at the invasive tumor marg
in, an evaluation of the CEA staining pattern is useful in recognizing
carcinomas having a higher potential to metastasize and recur after c
urative surgery.