PTEN Expression and Specific Clinicopathological Associations in Colorectal Carcinomas

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) refers to any cancer
that affects the colon and the rectum and it is a significant
public health issue.1 It is the third most common cancer to be
diagnosed globally and the fourth most frequent reason for
cancer-related mortality. The diagnosis of CRCs occurs in
places with affluent economies about 60% of the time. The
present study assessed phosphatase and tensin homolog
(PTEN) expression in colorectal cancer and its association
with tumor characteristics.
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out over the
course of 18 months, from 1 February 2021 to 31 July 2022, at
the SRMS IMS Bareilly Department of Pathology. The analysis
included surgically removed specimens of colorectal cancer
that had been obtained at the SRMS, IMS Department of
Pathology. The patient’s medical records provided the clinical
information.
Results: Loss of PTEN expression was seen in 76.9% of CRC
cases, while 23.1% of cases revealed positive expression.
Maximum cases were of age>60 years and male predominance
was noted. In 62.5% of cases with tumor size ≥5 cm displayed
loss of PTEN expression. In 52.5% loss of PTEN tumor cases
were histologically moderately differentiated, 37.5% were well
differentiated, and 10% were poorly differentiated. 50% of cases
with pathologic tumor stage (pT3) and 65% left-sided tumors
showed loss of PTEN expression.
Conclusion: Loss of PTEN expression was observed in the
majority of colorectal tumors along with its negative association
with tumor size and pathologic tumor staging.