BACKGROUND

Approximately 15% of colorectal cancers exhibit deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) status, and these cases have a better prognosis and are less prone to metastasis. Moreover, dMMR is associated with an improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Currently, local data on the MMR status of colorectal cancer patients remains scant.

OBJECTIVES

The proponents aimed to determine the MMR status among colorectal cancer patients in a Philippine tertiary hospital.

METHODOLOGY

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that included 42 patients with colorectal cancer seen at the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) from January 2021 to June 2024. Data was collected via retrospective review of histopathologic reports.

RESULTS

Forty-two (42) patients were included in the study. The mean age of included patients was 61.8 years, and most were males. Half had well-differentiated tumor grade, and the most common tumor locations were rectum (38%) and sigmoid (36%). Three patients (7.14%; 95% CI:1.50-19.48%) were considered deficient. Tumor locations in dMMR patients were the cecum, descending colon, and rectum. Compared to MMR-proficient, dMMR patients had a lower mean age (63.1 vs. 45.7 years). Also, a higher proportion of males (13%) were dMMR than females (0%).

CONCLUSION

dMMR is uncommon among the colorectal cancer cases in this study, and was only seen at the cecum, descending colon, and rectum. Descriptive analysis revealed that patients with dMMR were younger than MMR-proficient patients. Moreover, a higher proportion of males were dMMR than females. Larger, multicenter studies are warranted to validate these preliminary findings and guide future clinical decision-making.

Human ; Biomarkers ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Dna Mismatch Repair

A rectal polyp is found during a routine colonoscopy of a 34-year-old male. He has no known significant family history of inherited disorder. Endoscopic findings reveal a 5-mm JNET 2A polyp in the rectum which is removed via forceps polypectomy. The microscopic examination shows a polypoid colonic mucosa with fairly circumscribed proliferation of low-grade spindle cells in the lamina propria, separating the crypts. The individual spindle cells are uniform in size with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. No mitotic figures, nuclear atypia, pleomorphism and necrosis are noted. Likewise, the crypts do not exhibit serrated architecture.

Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Schwann Cells ; Hamartoma ; Mucosa ; Mucous Membrane ; Polyps

Objective: To determine the prevalence and describe the clinical characteristics of high risk HPV mong patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas in our institution utilizing p16 and HPV DNA in-situ hybridization testing and to determine the factors associated with high risk HPV positivity. Methods: Design: Retrospective Cohort Review Setting: Tertiary Private Training Hospital Participants: 29 Results: A total of 29 primary oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas were diagnosed during the 11-year study period (January 2010 to December 2021). Based on the HPV in-situ hybridization status, the prevalence of high risk HPV oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in our institution was 52%. Majority of these cases were males (87.5%) with a median age of ≤55 years old (60%) who are non-smokers (88.2%) and non-drinkers of alcoholic beverages (80%). There was no statistically significant association between age group, sex, smoking status, alcohol intake, lymph node status and high risk HPV infection. The most common tumor site involved in HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma was the tonsil (87%). Majority demonstrated a nonkeratinizing histology (73%) with positive lymph node status (67%) upon clinical presentation. Fifteen (83%) of the 18 p16 positive squamous cell carcinomas were positive for high risk HPVDNA. Of note, 3 (17%) out of the 18 p16 positive squamous cell carcinomas turned out to have negative HPV DNA-ISH status. Conclusion Although no statistically significant correlation between any clinical characteristic with viral status was established, HPV-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in this institution was commonly seen among males aged 54 years old and below who are nonsmokers and non-drinkers of alcoholic beverages with the palatine tonsil as the most common site presenting with a non-keratinizing histology. In terms of testing, p16 staining correlates well with high risk HPV status. Future studies utilizing a larger patient population may aid in elucidating statistically significant clinical associations in our local population
human papillomavirus ; oropharyngeal cancer ; p16