Transitory Margin - Prognostic Factors for the Development of a New Cancer

Introduction: The transitory margin e.g. the margin between the tumor and the line of resection is exceptionally unstable as it is precancerous and directly related to the frequency of local reccurrence or the development of a new tumour.Materials and Methods: In our study, the aim was to investigate the zone between 1 and 2 cm below the tumour, in order to determine the relation between the immunohystochemical expression of p53/Bcl-2 oncogenic proteins on colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps in the resection line, as well as in the actual resection margin. 20 patients who have had a surgery for colorectal cancer have been investigated. Results: Moderate dye for p53 in 17 out of 20 colorectal cancers was determined. Three adenomatous polyps were also moderately dyed for p53. Nuclear p53 activity was not determined in the zone between 1 and 2 cm in the mucosa from the tumour in caudal and distal directions. Low to moderate cytoplasmic dye for bcl-2 protein was found in 5 colorectal adenocarcinomas and 4 adenomas.Conclusion: Positive results for p53 in the adenoma were in complete accordance with the theory of adenomatous cancer sequence, thus it could be used as an indicator for the possible recurrence of the disease and a bad prognosis. In a future investigation, the relation between p53 and bcl-2 expression in the resection line below the tumour and the width of the transitory line, should be determined.