STROMAL TENASCIN DISTRIBUTION AS A PROGNOSTIC MARKER IN COLORECTAL-CANCER

A total of 169 colorectal adenocarcinomas, obtained from patients with a median follow-up of 6.5 years, were studied with immunohistochemica l staining on cryosections using a monoclonal anti-tenascin antibody t o evaluate the possible association between the staining patterns and tumour stage, tumour differentiation and survival. We found two differ ent staining patterns in the tumour stroma - a diffuse stromal fibrill ar staining in 92 out of 169 (54%) tumours and a subglandular staining in the remaining 77 tumours. When the entire group of patients (P < 0 .01) and the group of potentially cured patients (P < 0.03) were analy sed univariately, it was found that diffuse stromal fibrillar staining was associated with a shorter survival time than subglandular stainin g. In a multivariate analysis, the Dukes' stage and age were independe nt prognostic factors, whereas the tenascin expression did not retain a clear independent relationship to survival (P = 0.06). Hence, it app ears that the tumour expression of tenascin may be a potential prognos tic marker in colorectal cancer, in so far as a diffuse stromal fibril lar staining pattern seems to indicate an increased risk of poor outco me. However, after adjustment for age and Dukes' stage, the additional prognostic value of tenascin remains to be established in further ana lyses.