The relationship between microsatellite instability in colorectal adenocarcinoma and tumor budding and histopathological parameters

- OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the correlation between the presence of microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor budding, as well as their relationship with histopathological parameters in patients diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study en-compassed patients who underwent curative surgery to treat colorectal cancer. These pa-tients were classified into groups based on their MSI status. The International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) 2016 guidelines were utilized to identify tumor budding. Demo-graphics, clinical data, tumor budding, and his-topathological attributes were assessed across study groups.RESULTS: The study analyzed 268 patients, out of which 32 (11.9%) were identified as having MSI. Microsatellite Stable (MSS) patients were placed in Group 1, and those with MSI were clas-sified into Group 2. The average age was lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (55.9 years vs. 61.4 years, p=0.034). Tumor localizations in the caecum (5.9% vs. 18%) and the ascending colon (11.9% vs. 25%) were more prevalent in Group 2 (p=0.019). The occurrence of tumor budding (75% vs. 62.5%, p=0.133) and the budding de-gree in those with tumor budding were compa-rable between the groups. Poorly differentiat-ed tumors were more prevalent in Group 2 (5.5% vs. 25%, p=0.001). Additionally, the tumor diam-eter was larger in Group 2 (3.58 cm vs. 4.35 cm, p=0.007).CONCLUSIONS: MSI is a significant biomark-er, possessing diagnostic, prognostic, and pre-dictive value in colorectal cancer (CRC). Under-standing the connection between MSI and tumor budding in CRC may provide clinicians with in-sights to enhance patient management.