Objective: To study the value of point mutant genes in the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis of large intestinal carcinoma.
Methods: Techniques of PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing were used to detect point mutations of p53 and k-ras genes in primary focus, hepatic metastatic focus, and bile.
Results: 50 cases of large intestinal cancer were detected. 38 cases (76.0%) had p53 and k-ras gene mutations. p53 gene mutations were detected in 28 cases (56.0%) and k-ras gene mutations in 16 cases (32.0%). The same point mutant genes in bile with primary focus were detected in 10 out of 12 patients with hepatic metastasis (83.3%).
Conclusions: The tumor cells of hepatic metastasis show the same clonal origin with primary focal cells that had same point mutant genes. Detection of the point mutant genes in bile is of value in the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis of large intestinal carcinoma.