INTESTINE Vol.5 No.5(3)

Theme Vessel invasion and metastasis in colorectal submucosal cancer
Title Histopathological determination of lymphatic vessels and veins in colorectum, and advantages of special staining for vascular invasion in colorectal carcinoma
Publish Date 2001/09
Author Hiroyuki Mitomi Department of Pathology, Kitasato University East Hospital
Author Taeko Tatebayashi Department of Pathology, Kitasato University East Hospital
Author Masahiro Igarashi Department of Internal Medicine, Kitasato University East Hospital
Author Yoshimasa Ohtani Department of Surgery, Kitasato University East Hospital
Author Tetsuo Mikami Department of Pathology, Kitasato University East Hospital
Author Isao Okayasu Department of Pathology, Kitasato University East Hospital
[ Summary ] In patients with colorectal carcinoma, the determination of venous or lymphatic invasion is the best method for predicting visceral metastasis. Recognition of vascular invasion by pathologists, while requiring meticulous histological examination is nevertheless subject to a number of problems-for example observation variation, application of and Eosin (H&E) staining or combination of H&E and other types of special staining. Elastica-van Gieson (EVG) staining has been used as a marker for vessels, and its value in identifying tumor invasion is widely accepted. In addition, EVG plus periodic acid Schiff staining is helpful in deciding venous tumor involvement. In some cases, additional immunohistochemical staininigs including CD34 and smooth muscle actin may be available for looking at smaller vessels involved by carcinoma.
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