Topic of article: a study on histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of resected specimen of colorectal carcinoma

Background: Carcinoma in colon shows a wide range of morphological differentiation in spite of clinically being nondistinctive. Histomorphology is not enough for differentiating and categorising the type of colon carcinoma with confidence; immunohistochemistry acts as valuable adjunct to it. Materials and Methods: Resected colon specimens were grossed and sections given from representative areas and stained by conventional H and E method and further evaluation done by immunohistochemical markers CK-7 and CK-20 with grading. Results: 51 cases of colon carcinoma selected for study and elderly males dominated. Adenocarcinoma (NST) dominated in histopathology in 43 cases followed by 5cases of signet ring cell variant and 3 cases of mucinous type. In Adenocarcinoma-NST group, CK-7 was negative in all,13 showed grade2 CK-20 positivity, 26 showed grade3 and 4 showed grade4. All signet ring cell types showed CK-7 and grade 4 CK-20 positivity. Mucinous group showed CK-7 and grade2 CK-20 positivity. Conclusion: Histology coupled with immunohistochemistry act as complete diagnostic tools for colon carcinoma and helpful for further therapeutic management. Histological typing shows statistically significant correlation with grade of CK-20 positivity (p=0.00).