Genetic detection of lymph node micrometastases in patients with colorectal cancer

• Published in: British journal of surgery Vol. 85; no. 1; pp. 98 - 100
• Main Authors: Dorudi, S., Kinrade, E., Marshall, N. C., Feakins, R., Williams, N. S., Bustin, S. A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.01.1998; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Southern; Colonic Neoplasms - genetics; Colonic Neoplasms - pathology; Digestive system; DNA, Neoplasm - analysis; Female; Genetic Techniques; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymphatic Metastasis - diagnosis; Lymphatic Metastasis - genetics; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging - methods; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rectal Neoplasms - genetics; Rectal Neoplasms - pathology; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Human; Cytokeratin; Rectal disease; Lymph node; Methodology; Reverse transcription; Exploration; Metastasis; Malignant tumor; Colonic disease; Polymerase chain reaction; Sensitivity; Messenger RNA; Rectum; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Colon; Diagnosis; Molecular biology
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2168.1998.02872.x

Background Undetected micrometastases represent the single most important cause of treatment failure in patients undergoing putatively curative resection for colorectal cancer because current staging techniques are unable to identify patients with minimal residual disease. Methods A highly sensitive reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction technique has been used to amplify tissue‐specific messenger RNA from lymph nodes classified as tumour‐free using both conventional histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Results Four of 15 patients were restaged after genetic diagnosis of lymph node micrometastases, while in a further two additional positive nodes were detected. Conclusion Sensitive genetic techniques that detect minimal residual disease merit further study, particularly as there is evidence that patients may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. © 1998 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd