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Table of Contents
Definition / general | Terminology | Epidemiology | Clinical features | Diagnosis | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Molecular / cytogenetics description | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Villous adenocarcinoma of colon. PathologyOutlines.com website. http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/colontumorvillousadenocarcinoma.html. Accessed July 14th, 2017.
Definition / general
- Well differentiated subtype of colorectal carcinoma with good prognosis that resembles villous adenoma on the surface (Anticancer Res 1998;18:2649)
- Not formally recognized by the WHO
Terminology
- Also known as "adenoma-like adenocarcinoma" (Histopathology 2016;68:183)
Epidemiology
- Approximately 3% - 5% of colorectal carcinomas have villous / adenoma-like features
Clinical features
- Low rate of metastasis to lymph nodes and other organs
Diagnosis
- Biopsy may resemble villous adenoma, so clinical / endoscopic correlation is essential
Gross images
Images hosted on other servers:
Villous tumor with central ulceration
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Invasive carcinoma with architectural and cytologic features resembling villous adenoma
- May have traditional invasive component or invade by pushing
- Mucinous features often present
- Epithelial islands in desmoplastic stroma is a helpful finding (Am J Surg Pathol 2004;28:1460)
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
Abrupt transition from benign to malignant mucosa
Flickr Images:
Contributed by Raul Gonzalez, M.D.:
Villous adenocarcinoma of colon
Contributed by Semir Vranic, M.D.:
5×
10×
CK7
20×
CDX2
CK20
Molecular / cytogenetics description
- 24% of cases have microsatellite instability
Differential diagnosis
- Villous adenoma: can be hard to distinguish on biopsy (subtle clues include gland distortion and desmoplasia)
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