A minor (<50%) signet-ring cell component associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients: a 26-year retrospective study in China.

Abstract

BackgroundWe performed a retrospective study to determine the cancer-specific survival of colorectal cancer patients with a component of signet-ring cells or mucin comprising MethodsA total of 2454 patients seen in our hospital from 1985 to 2011 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into five groups according to type of cancer: signet-ring cell carcinoma (with > 50% signet-ring cell, n = 36), partial signet-ring cell carcinoma (with 50% mucin lacking signet-ring cell, n = 267), partial mucinous adenocarcinoma (with ResultsPatients with > 50% or 50% mucin (48.8%). Patients who had partial mucinous adenocarcinoma with ConclusionsPatients with a component of signet-ring cells, regardless of the extent, had poor prognoses. Patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma containing >50% mucin had poor prognoses as well, whereas those with < 50% mucin had survival rates similar to those of classic adenocarcinoma patients. Therefore, in clinical practice, patients with a component of signet-ring cells, regardless of the extent, should be given significant clinical attention.