The expression of tumor markers that correlates with the aggressiveness of cancers has been strongly investigated. Having colorectal cancer a significant incidence, biomarkers that can evaluate it concerning this aspect are not an exception in this inquiry. AIM: To establish a relation between aggressiveness of colorectal cancer according to TNM and Astler-Coller staging systems and the expression of Mucin1 (MUC1) in a determined sample of tumors. METHODS: 36 colorectal cancers resected by proctologists of the University Hospital of UFAL were examined regarding the presence of positive immunohistochemical reaction for MUC1 in cytoplasmic patterns. After that, the positive cases and its stages were correlated. RESULTS: Immunoexpression of MUC1 occurred in 50% of the cases. Among these, 61% were between stages T3 and T4; 39% between N1 and N2; all cases of the study were M0; and 40% were classified between C1 and C3 in Astler-Coller system. When evaluated MUC1 positivity in each stage separately, a proportional increase of both was perceived, mainly in stages "N" and Astler-Coller. CONCLUSION: The absence of imunohistochemical reactivity to MUC1 did not exclude the possibility of evolution for an advanced staged tumor. However, its presence denotes evolution of colorectal cancer for more aggressive stages.
Mucins; Colorectal Cancer; Cancer Staging; Tumor Markers; Immunohistochemistry
