CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS and PROGNOSIS OF COLORECTAL SIGNET‐RING CELL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Background/aims Colorectal signet‐ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is uncommon tumor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of primary and metastatic colorectal SRCC.Methods We retrospectively examined the records of patients who had undergone surgery for colon cancer and was diagnosed pathologically as colorectal SRCC from 1988 to 2000.Results Among 1812 patients with colorectal cancer examined, the number of patients with SRCC was 28 (1.5%); eight patients (28.6%) were metastatic and 20 patients (71.4%) were primary. Male to female ratio was 19:9 and mean age was 44.2 (primary, 42.5; metastatic, 48.3). Mean age of primary SRCC of rectosigmoid area was lower than that of ascending colon (37.4 vs. 54.5). The topographic incidences of primary SRCC were nine patients in rectum; five patients in sigmoid colon; six patients in ascending colon. Metastatic SRCC's were mostly found in splenic flexure and rectosigmoid area. Biopsy positive rate at first was 13 of 18 in primary SRCC, and 3 of 5 in metastatic SRCC. Five cases (55.6%) of primary rectal SRCC showed linitis plastica type. The stage of primary SRCC showed a preponderance of Astler–Coller C2 lesions; 3 (15%) were in B2, 1 (5%) was in C1, 14 (70%) were in C2, 2 (10%) were in D. One and two years survival of primary SRCC were 62.7 and 45.7%, respectively.Conclusions Colorectal SRCC is rare among colon cancer and common in young age group especially which is primary or occurs in rectosigmoid area. The primary SRCC's were mostly found in advanced stage, and the prognosis might be poor.