Diagnostic yield and repeat biopsies in rectal and nonrectal colorectal adenocarcinoma: Are we hedging on rectal biopsies?

Michel Kmeid, Rupinder Brar, Luz Sullivan, Mustafa Erdem Arslan, Neharika Shrestha, Edward C. Lee, Anne Chen, Timothy A. Jennings, Hwajeong Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Patients with rectal cancer undergo more repeat biopsies compared to those with nonrectal colon cancer prior to management. We investigated the factors driving the higher frequency of repeat biopsies in patients with rectal cancer. We compared clinicopathologic features of diagnostic and nondiagnostic (in regard to invasion) rectal (n = 64) and colonic (n = 57) biopsies from colorectal cancer patients and characterized corresponding resections. Despite similar diagnostic yield, repeat biopsy was more common in rectal carcinoma, especially in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (p < 0.05). The presence of desmoplasia (odds ratio 12.9, p < 0.05) was a strong predictor of making a diagnosis of invasion in both rectal and nonrectal colon cancer biopsies. Diagnostic biopsies had more desmoplasia, intramucosal carcinoma component and marked inflammation, and less low-grade dysplasia component (p < 0.05). Diagnostic yield of biopsy was higher for tumors with high-grade tumor budding, mucosal involvement by high-grade dysplasia/intramucosal carcinoma without low-grade dysplasia and diffuse surface desmoplasia irrespective of tumor location. Sample size, amount of benign tissue, appearance, and T stage did not affect diagnostic yield. Repeat biopsy of rectal cancer is primarily driven by management implications. Diagnostic yield in colorectal cancer biopsies is multifactorial and is not due to differing pathologists’ diagnostic approach per tumor site. For rectal tumors, a multidisciplinary strategic approach is warranted to avoid repeat biopsy when unnecessary.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100063
JournalAcademic Pathology
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2023

Keywords

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis
  • Rectum

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