A new prognostic staging system for rectal cancer

Ann Surg. 2004 Nov;240(5):832-9. doi: 10.1097/01.sla.0000143243.81014.f2.

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the appropriateness of tumor "budding," a quantifiable histologic variable, as 1 parameter in the construction of a new prognostic grading system for rectal cancer.

Summary background data: Patient division according to an accurate prognostic prediction could enhance the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant therapy and follow-up.

Patients and methods: Tumor budding was defined as an isolated cancer cell or a cluster composed of fewer than 5 cells in the invasive frontal region, and was divided into 2 grades based on its number within a microscopic field of x250. We analyzed 2 discrete cohorts comprising 638 and 476 patients undergoing potentially curative surgery.

Results: In the first cohort, high-grade budding (10 or more foci in a field) was observed in 30% of patients and was significantly associated with a lower 5-year survival rate (41%) than low-grade budding (84%). Similarly, in the second cohort, the 5-year survival rate was 43% in high-grade budding patients and 83% in low-grade budding patients. In both cohorts, multivariate analyses verified budding to be an independent prognosticator, together with nodal involvement and extramural spread. These 3 variables were given weighted scores, and the score range was divided to provide 5 prognostic groups (97%; 86%; 61%; 39%; 17% 5-year survival). The model was tested on the second cohort, and similar prognostic results were obtained.

Conclusions: We propose that because of its relevance to prognosis and its reproducibility, budding is an excellent parameter for use in a grading system to provide a confident prediction of clinical outcome.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Rectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Survival Rate