The following is a summary of the “Prognostic Impact of Extramural Lymphatic, Vascular, and Perineural Invasion in Stage II Colon Cancer: A Comparison With Intramural Invasion,” published in the March 2023 issue of Colon & Rectum by Cho, et al.

Colon cancer prognosis includes lymphatic, vascular, and perineural invasion. The predictive value of those characteristics depending to permeation site (intramural and extramural invasion) in stage II colon cancer is uncertain. This study investigated whether lymphatic, vascular, and perineural invasion locations affect stage II colon cancer survival. Retrospective cohort study. University teaching hospitals hosted this study. 

Around 1,130 stage II colon cancer patients received radical surgery at Seoul National University Hospital between July 2003 and December 2015. Lymphatic, vascular, and perineural invasion locations categorised patients. Invasive and non-invasive patients were compared for survival. Disease-free survival is secondary to total survival. Extramural invasion worsened disease-free survival and total survival. Extramural invasion was an independent predictive factor in multivariate survival analysis. 

However, intramural invasion did not significantly affect disease-free survival or total survival.  Retrospectivity hindered this study. Extramural invasion worsened stage II colon cancer prognosis, whereas intramural invasion did not. Hence, pathologic findings on lymphatic, vascular, and perineural invasion may assist predict outcome and determine adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon tumours.

Source: journals.lww.com/dcrjournal/Abstract/2023/03000/Prognostic_Impact_of_Extramural_Lymphatic,.8.aspx