Lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and tumor budding are prognostic factors for stage I colon cancer recurrence

• DOI: 10.1007/s00384-020-03548-4
• Publication Date: 2020-02-28T18:03:46Z
• Authors: Seijong Kim; Jung Wook Huh; Woo Yong Lee; Seong Hyeon Yun; Hee Cheol Kim; Yong Beom Cho; Yoon Ah Park; Jung Kyong Shin
• Keywords: Tumor budding; Lymphovascular invasion; Perineural invasion

The diagnostic impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), and tumor budding in stage I colon cancer is currently unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic impact of LVI, PNI, and tumor budding in stage I colon cancer.From January 2008 to December 2013, 720 patients who underwent curative surgery and were diagnosed with stage I colon cancer were reviewed retrospectively. These patients were categorized into two groups based on LVI, PNI, and tumor budding: the no risk group (n = 566) and risk group (n = 154).Median follow-up period was 103.5 months, and the 5-year disease-free survival rate of the risk group was significantly lower than that of the no risk group (p = 0.025). In multivariate analysis, only the risk group had prognostic factors for 5-year disease-free survival (p = 0.036). In addition, only differentiation was an independent predictor in the risk group (p = 0.009).LVI, PNI, and tumor budding are strong prognostic factors for stage I colon cancer. Therefore, patients with positive LVI, PNI, or tumor budding should receive close follow-up and potentially be considered for chemotherapy.