Objective: To evaluate the morphology, grading and staging of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and to assess the relationship between these parameters.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Departments of Pathology, University of Health Sciences and Sheikh Zayed Federal Post Graduate Medical Institute Lahore, Pakistan, over a period of one year. The study consisted of 100 colectomy/hemicolectomy specimens, received fixed in 10% formalin. The specimens were examined grosslyto observe the various macroscopical features of tumours. Haematoxylin and Eosin stained slides were examined to determine the histological type, grade and stage of CRC.
Results: Among the 100 cases, 59 were non mucinous adenocarcinomas, of which 4 were in Dukes' stage A, 51 were in Dukes' stage B and 4 were in Dukes' stage C. Cases of nonmucinous CRC of grade I to grade II were 55 in number. In thirty cases of mucinous carcinomas, 18 were in Dukes' stage B and 12 were in Dukes' stage C, of these 2 were of grade I, 20 were of grade II and 8 were of grade III. All the 11 signet ring cell carcinomas were of grade III and in Dukes' stage C.
Conclusion: Mucin secreting and signet-ring cell adenocarcinomas of colon and rectum are high grade tumours and presented at an advanced stage.