The prognostic significance of specific histologic features of carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

The prognostic significance of several histologic features of the primary tumors and regional lymph nodes was analyzed in 82 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum. Three criteria were shown to have a statistically significant favorable impact on prognosis: Dukes' A or B stage, the absence of mucinous components and the presence of lymphoplasmocytic infiltration in or around the tumor. Based upon the number of these criteria present, we were able to separate the patients into three distinct prognostic groups. We suggest that such a grouping is simple and should be considered in the design and analysis of future adjuvant trials done for carcinoma of the colon and rectum.