Abstract
Introduction Tissue factor (TF) expression has been described in various neoplasms and was correlated
with angiogenesis and metastases.
Objectives To describe TF expression in colorectal cancers, correlating it with microvessel
density and clinical and pathological variables.
Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to determine TF expression and microvessel density.
The Student t -test was used to compare high and low TF expression with microvessel density and
with age. The chi-squared test was used for other comparisons, and Kaplan-Meier curves
were used for survival analyses.
Results Forty-three patients were operated with curative intent. Their mean age was 58.1 ± 12.6
years old, and 62.8% were male. The rectum was the most common location (60,4%), and
most tumors reached the serosa and peri-intestinal fat (72.1%). Lymph nodes were positive
in 46.5%, and 72.1% of the tumors were moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas.
Death occurred in 27.6 ± 12.8 months in 51.1% of the patients who had recurrence.
Tissue factor expression was intense in 88.4%. There was a positive correlation between
TF expression and microvessel density (p = 0.02), and between TF and older age (p < 0.01). There was no correlation between TF expression and other variables (gender,
histological type, penetration into the intestinal wall, and lymphatic and systemic
metastases). Tissue factor expression did not correlate with survival.
Conclusion Tissue factor expression correlated with increased microvessel density and older
age. Further studies are necessary to ascertain the clinical relevance of TF in colorectal
cancer.
Keywords tissue factor - angiogenesis - colorectal adenocarcinoma
