Paneth cell metaplasia in colonic adenocarcinoms.

The junctional mucosa of 49 colorectal carcinomas were studied for Paneth cell metaplasia. Twenty two cases (44.89%) showed Paneth cells in the junctional mucosa. The carcinomas were seen mainly in the age range of 51 to 60 years (38.4%) The occurrence of Paneth cell metaplasia was higher in the vicinity of tumours of ascending colon and in well differentiated grades of adenocarcinomas. This probably indicates the reactive host response in the junctional mucosa which is of better prognostic significance.