| Theme |
Pathological evalution of submucosal invasive colorectal cancer |
| Title |
The difference between "pseudocarcinomatous invasion" and "true carcinomatous invaslon" |
| Author |
Takashi Yao |
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, KyuShu University |
| [ Summary ] |
One of the characteristic features of carcinoma is stromal invasion. However, the adenomatous epithelium can be located below the level of the muscularis mucosae. This phenomenon known as "pseudocarcinomatous invasion" should be distinguished from "true carcinomatous invasion". The most important feature of "pseudocarcinomatous invasion" is the lack of stromal desmoplastic reactions. In addition, there are several characteristic features of "pseudocarcinomatous invasion" which are different from "true carcinomatous invasion". 1) Cytologic characteristics of malignancy are lacking. 2) Submucosal glandular tissue is well circumscribed and individual glands are surrounded by lamina propria. 3) Submucosal glands exhibit a lobulated arrangement. 4) Deposits of hemosiderin pigment are often present around the submucosal glands. 5) Displaced adenomatous glands are occasionally admixed with displaced non-neoplastic glands. 6) Sometimes entrapped glands undergo cystic dilation, resulting in large mucin-filled pools. The recognition of pseudocarcinomatous invasion is important for the treatment of individual patients. |