Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Colorectal Cancer and Its Relationship to Prognosis
Author Information
Author(s): A. Yamaguchi, T. Ishida, G. Nishimura, T. Kumaki, M. Katoh, T. Kosaka, Y. Yonemura, I. Miyazaki
Primary Institution: Department of Surgery II, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
Hypothesis
The presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in colorectal cancers may be a biological marker of prognostic significance.
Conclusion
The presence of tissue hCG in colorectal cancers is associated with a poorer prognosis and more aggressive tumor behavior.
Supporting Evidence
- HCG-positive tumor cells were found in 42 of 194 adenocarcinomas examined.
- HCG was detected more frequently in cancers invading the total bowel wall (27%) than in those invading the partial wall (17.1%).
- The survival rate for patients with tissue hCG-positive cells was lower than for those with hCG-negative tumors.
- HCG-positive cancers showed a higher rate of lymph node and liver metastases.
Takeaway
Some cancers can make a hormone called hCG, and if they do, it might mean the cancer is more dangerous and harder to treat.
Methodology
The study examined tumor materials from 194 patients with large bowel cancers using immunohistochemical techniques to detect hCG.
Participant Demographics
109 patients with colon cancers and 85 with rectal cancers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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