Comparative immunohistochemical demonstration of difucosylated carbohydrate antigens and CEA in adenomas and carcinomas of the rectum and rectosigmoid

• The present immunohistochemical investigation reveals that difucosylated carbohydrate antigens (DFCA) are extensively expressed in rectal and rectosigmoid carcinomas while normal mucosa and hyperplastic polyps are mainly negative. The adenomas showed intermediate staining patterns where adenomas with villous structures and moderate-severe dysplasia resembled of carcinomas. CEA was more extensively expressed in both normal, premalignant, and malignant tissue. Thus, DFCA is better than CEA as a discriminator between normal and malignant tissue in the distal large bowel, and may be used in future studies with the intention of advancing our understanding of the neoplastic process and assessing clinical relevance.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)