Expression of P27 in Colorectal Epithelial Polyps and Carcinoma lmmunohistochetnical Study

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third ranking cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 9% of all cancers (Parkin eta/., 1992), moreover, CRC incidence rates have risen sharpl y over the second half of this century in different countries (Huang eta/., 1999 & Troisi eta/., 1999).

Almost all CRCs arise in adenomas through the adenoma­ carcinoma sequence, the malignant potential of adenomas depends primarily on the grade of epithelial dysplasia, adenoma size and histol ogic type (Kim and Lance, 1997 & Kronborg, 2000).

The prognosis of CRC patients is influenced by many clinicopathologic factors, the most important of which is the pathologic extent of the disease i.e. tumour stage (Fenoglio­ Preiser eta/., 1995).

Howev r,_ it is well known that moll? ologically similar tumours presenting in any assi"gned stage may behave in radically different fashions, thus implementation of molecular and immunohistochemical obje tive predictive assays to our diagnostic and prognostic tools may enhance our ability to assess tumour biological activities and to design effective treatment regimens (Cordon-Cardo, 1995)