Colorectal cancer pathophysiology: Difference between revisions

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==Pathophysiology==
==Pathogenesis==
At a microbiological level, the development of the colon cancers (as well as other cancers) can be linked to defects within the [[cell cycle]]<ref name="pmid21190461">{{cite journal |author=Scully R |title=The spindle-assembly checkpoint, aneuploidy, and gastrointestinal cancer |journal=[[The New England Journal of Medicine]] |volume=363 |issue=27 |pages=2665–6 |year=2010 |month=December |pmid=21190461 |doi=10.1056/NEJMe1008017 |url=http://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMe1008017?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed |accessdate=2011-12-12}}</ref>.  In a normal cell cycle, [[kinetochores]], which are located at the [[centromere]] of the [[chromosomes]], will attach to the [[mitotic spindle]] fibers. The [[sister chromatids]] will be pulled to either side of the [[cell]], creating the necessities for two separate cells.  If the kinetochore is not properly attached to the spindle, a signal is generated that stops the [[mitotic division]] until the attachment is fixed. This signal causing system is referred to as the [[spindle-assembly checkpoint]].  If there are mutations in this checkpoint, then [[mitosis]] can continue without repairing detached kinetochores.  This will ultimately lead to [[mis-segregation]] of chromosomes as well as [[aneuploidy]], which is an abnormal amount of chromosomes in a cell<ref name="pmid21190461">{{cite journal |author=Scully R |title=The spindle-assembly checkpoint, aneuploidy, and gastrointestinal cancer |journal=[[The New England Journal of Medicine]] |volume=363 |issue=27 |pages=2665–6 |year=2010 |month=December |pmid=21190461 |doi=10.1056/NEJMe1008017 |url=http://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMe1008017?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed |accessdate=2011-12-12}}</ref>.  A predisposition to colon cancer may come from this mechanism.
*At a microbiological level, the development of the colon cancers (as well as other cancers) can be linked to defects within the [[cell cycle]]<ref name="pmid21190461">{{cite journal |author=Scully R |title=The spindle-assembly checkpoint, aneuploidy, and gastrointestinal cancer |journal=[[The New England Journal of Medicine]] |volume=363 |issue=27 |pages=2665–6 |year=2010 |month=December |pmid=21190461 |doi=10.1056/NEJMe1008017 |url=http://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMe1008017?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed |accessdate=2011-12-12}}</ref>
The [[pathology]] of the tumor is usually reported from the analysis of tissue taken from a biopsy or surgery.  A pathology report will usually contain a description of [[histology|cell type]] and grade.  The most common colon cancer cell type is [[adenocarcinoma]] which accounts for 95% of cases. Other, rarer types include [[lymphoma]] and [[squamous cell carcinoma]].
*Although the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is poorly understood, the following five factors are responsible for its neoplastic changes<ref name="Kim2014">{{cite journal|last1=Kim|first1=Eun Ran|title=Colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease: The risk, pathogenesis, prevention and diagnosis|journal=World Journal of Gastroenterology|volume=20|issue=29|year=2014|pages=9872|issn=1007-9327|doi=10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9872}}</ref>:
*Genetic instability
*Epigenetic alteration
*Chronic inflammation
*Oxidative stress
*Intestinal microbiota


===Gross Pathology===
===Genetic instability===
*Aneuploidy is demonstrated in about 50%-90% of cancers
*A loss of adenomatous polyposis (APC) function is common in sporadic CRC
*A loss of P53 function is common in colitis-associated CRC
*The following are two types of genomic instability
:*Chromosomal instability (CIN) with a 85% frequency
:*Microsatellite instability (MSI) with a 15% frequency
::*It is associated with a promotor hypermethylation of the mismatch repair gene hMLH1
 
 
===Epigenetic alteration===
*Sporadic CRC can develop from dysplasia in 1 or 2 foci of the colon
*Colitis-associated CRC can develop from multifocal dysplasia
:*This indicates a field change effect where large areas of cells within the colon are affected by carcinogenic alterations
 
===Chronic inflammation===
*COX-2 is triggered by inflammatory stimuli such as IL-1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α induces inflammation
*COX-2 expression is elevated in nearly 50% of adenomas and 85% of adenocarcinomas
 
===Oxidative stress===
*Oxidative stress results from inflammatory reactions which include inflammatory cells, activated neutrophils, and macrophages
*Macrophages produce large amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS)
*RONs can interact with key genes involved in carcinogenic pathways such as P53 and DNA mismatch repair genes
 
===Intestinal microbiota===
*The mechanism is still unclear
 
<gallery widths=200px>
 
ImageName.jpg | Description <br> [http://phil.cdc.gov/Phil/ <font size="-2">''Adapted from CDC''</font>]
 
</gallery>
 
 
==Gross Pathology==
Adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor, originating from glandular epithelium of the colorectal mucosa.  It invades the wall, infiltrating the [[muscularis mucosae]], the [[submucosa]] and thence the muscularis propria. Cancers on the right side (ascending colon and [[cecum]]) tend to be exophytic, that is, the tumour grows outwards from one location in the bowel wall.  This very rarely causes obstruction of [[feces]], and presents with symptoms such as [[anemia]].  Left-sided tumours tend to be circumferential, and can obstruct the bowel much like a napkin ring.
Adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor, originating from glandular epithelium of the colorectal mucosa.  It invades the wall, infiltrating the [[muscularis mucosae]], the [[submucosa]] and thence the muscularis propria. Cancers on the right side (ascending colon and [[cecum]]) tend to be exophytic, that is, the tumour grows outwards from one location in the bowel wall.  This very rarely causes obstruction of [[feces]], and presents with symptoms such as [[anemia]].  Left-sided tumours tend to be circumferential, and can obstruct the bowel much like a napkin ring.



Revision as of 13:34, 13 July 2015

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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Elliot B. Tapper, M.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Michael Maddaleni, B.S.;Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shivali Marketkar, M.B.B.S. [2]

Pathogenesis

  • At a microbiological level, the development of the colon cancers (as well as other cancers) can be linked to defects within the cell cycle[1]
  • Although the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is poorly understood, the following five factors are responsible for its neoplastic changes[2]:
  • Genetic instability
  • Epigenetic alteration
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Oxidative stress
  • Intestinal microbiota

Genetic instability

  • Aneuploidy is demonstrated in about 50%-90% of cancers
  • A loss of adenomatous polyposis (APC) function is common in sporadic CRC
  • A loss of P53 function is common in colitis-associated CRC
  • The following are two types of genomic instability
  • Chromosomal instability (CIN) with a 85% frequency
  • Microsatellite instability (MSI) with a 15% frequency
  • It is associated with a promotor hypermethylation of the mismatch repair gene hMLH1


Epigenetic alteration

  • Sporadic CRC can develop from dysplasia in 1 or 2 foci of the colon
  • Colitis-associated CRC can develop from multifocal dysplasia
  • This indicates a field change effect where large areas of cells within the colon are affected by carcinogenic alterations

Chronic inflammation

  • COX-2 is triggered by inflammatory stimuli such as IL-1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α induces inflammation
  • COX-2 expression is elevated in nearly 50% of adenomas and 85% of adenocarcinomas

Oxidative stress

  • Oxidative stress results from inflammatory reactions which include inflammatory cells, activated neutrophils, and macrophages
  • Macrophages produce large amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS)
  • RONs can interact with key genes involved in carcinogenic pathways such as P53 and DNA mismatch repair genes

Intestinal microbiota

  • The mechanism is still unclear


Gross Pathology

Adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor, originating from glandular epithelium of the colorectal mucosa. It invades the wall, infiltrating the muscularis mucosae, the submucosa and thence the muscularis propria. Cancers on the right side (ascending colon and cecum) tend to be exophytic, that is, the tumour grows outwards from one location in the bowel wall. This very rarely causes obstruction of feces, and presents with symptoms such as anemia. Left-sided tumours tend to be circumferential, and can obstruct the bowel much like a napkin ring.

Appearance of the inside of the colon showing one invasive colorectal carcinoma (the crater-like, reddish, irregularly shaped tumor).

Microscopic Pathology

Tumor cells form irregular tubular structures, harboring pleuristratification, multiple lumens, reduced stroma ("back to back" aspect). Sometimes, tumor cells are discohesive and secrete mucus, which invades the interstitium producing large pools of mucus/colloid (optically "empty" spaces) - mucinous (colloid) adenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated. If the mucus remains inside the tumor cell, it pushes the nucleus at the periphery - "signet-ring cell." Depending on glandular architecture, cellular pleomorphism, and mucosecretion of the predominant pattern, adenocarcinoma may present three degrees of differentiation: well, moderately, and poorly differentiated. [3]

Histopathologic image of colonic carcinoid stained by hematoxylin and eosin.


Genetics

As of 1993, there was a discovery made in the mechanism of the development of colon cancers. It was found that HNPCC is caused by germline mutations of mismatch repair genes[1]. A germline mutation is defined as a gene change in a body's reproductive cell that becomes incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the body of the offspring. Colorectal cancer is a disease originating from the epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract. Hereditary or somatic mutations in specific DNA sequences, among which are included DNA replication or DNA repair genes[4], and also the APC, K-Ras, NOD2 and p53 genes, lead to unrestricted cell division. The exact reason why (and whether) a diet high in fiber might prevent colorectal cancer remains uncertain. Chronic inflammation, as in inflammatory bowel disease, may predispose patients to malignancy. Another mechanism involves the WNT gene family. There are a total of 19 genes in the WNT gene family and they are responsible for providing the instructions to make proteins that are responsible for chemical signaling. Research has shown that up-regulation of WNT signaling will cause crypt cells in the intestine to proliferate for longer than normal before they differentiate and migrate[5]. Prolonged proliferation eventually causes polyps to form, which in turn creates a predisposition to colon cancer.

Video

{{#ev:youtube|Sh65aXndqXk}}

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Scully R (2010). "The spindle-assembly checkpoint, aneuploidy, and gastrointestinal cancer". The New England Journal of Medicine. 363 (27): 2665–6. doi:10.1056/NEJMe1008017. PMID 21190461. Retrieved 2011-12-12. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. Kim, Eun Ran (2014). "Colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease: The risk, pathogenesis, prevention and diagnosis". World Journal of Gastroenterology. 20 (29): 9872. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9872. ISSN 1007-9327.
  3. Pathology atlas (in Romanian)
  4. Ionov Y, Peinado MA, Malkhosyan S, Shibata D, Perucho M (1993). "Ubiquitous somatic mutations in simple repeated sequences reveal a new mechanism for colonic carcinogenesis". Nature. 363 (6429): 558–61. PMID 8505985.
  5. Dolmans GH, Werker PM, Hennies HC, Furniss D, Festen EA, Franke L, Becker K, van der Vlies P, Wolffenbuttel BH, Tinschert S, Toliat MR, Nothnagel M, Franke A, Klopp N, Wichmann HE, Nürnberg P, Giele H, Ophoff RA, Wijmenga C (2011). "Wnt signaling and Dupuytren's disease". The New England Journal of Medicine. 365 (4): 307–17. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1101029. PMID 21732829. Retrieved 2011-12-12. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)


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