Assessing venous invasion in stage II colon cancer: optimal elastin stains and survival analysis

• DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2024-209550
• Publication Date: 2024-06-07T17:27:01Z
• Authors: Soo Hyun Lee; Omer Yilmaz; Nandan Padmanabha; Vikram Deshpande; Osman Yilmaz
• Keywords: Stain

Aims Venous invasion (VI) in colorectal carcinoma influences treatment strategies, especially early stages. Despite elastin staining effectiveness detecting VI, guidelines for its routine application, including the optimal number of slides staining, are limited. Methods Elastin was performed VI assessment patients with adenocarcinoma. Patients were categorised into two groups: single stain group (SEG, n=248) and multiple (MEG, n=204). Results The average elastin-stained blocks 2±1.7, increasing to 3.3±1.9 MEG. detection significantly higher MEG (50.5%) compared SEG (37.0%) (p=0.004). rate (63.7%) than (46.0%) among stage III–IV disease (p=0.011), but did not differ I–II disease. Staining improved without additional gains from more stains. Compared on a block, detected by or impact progression-free disease-free survival II patients. Conclusions Employing stains separate enhances benefits extensive staining. This study suggests that while sensitivity detection, beyond may benefit prognostication could be counterproductive, warranting further research. We emphasise need strategic use cautious interpretation increased