Abstract
Background and aims. Colorectal carcinomas demonstrating low-level microsatellite instability (MSI-L) may form a distinct group differing both from high-level MSI (MSI-H) and microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors.
Materials and methods. In a retrospective series of 172 colorectal carcinomas the microsatellite status was examined based on DNA extracted from archival blocks. Three groups – MSS (n=100), MSI-L (n=37), MSI-H (n=35) – were compared with respect to clinical data, stage, histology, and immunoexpression of Ki-67, and P53.
Results. Compared to MSS and MSI-H carcinomas the MSI-L tumors were exceptionally rarely right-sided, and demonstrated the lowest proliferation fraction. There was a trend for less frequent high-grade histology, more frequent intermediate P53 expression, and prominent mucinous histology.
Conclusion. Features of MSI-L colorectal carcinomas are not necessarily located between their MSS and MSI-H counterparts. The MSI-L category may contain a group of tumors belonging to a distinct carcinogenetic pathway.
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Rudzki, Z., Zazula, M., Okoń, K. et al. Low-level microsatellite instability colorectal carcinomas: do they really belong to a "gray zone" between high-level microsatellite instability and microsatellite-stable cancers?. Int J Colorectal Dis 18, 216–221 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-002-0460-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-002-0460-1