Colorectal adenosquamous carcinoma: Peculiar morphologic features and distinct immunoprofiles in squamous and glandular components

Abstract

Colorectal adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is exceedingly rare, comprising less than 0.1% of all colorectal malignancies, and is characterized by the admixture of glandular and squamous components. Due to its rarity, immunohistochemical and biological profiles have not been well investigated. The clinico-pathologic features of 29 cases of primary colorectal adenosquamous carcinomas, including four synchronous metastases, as well as the immunohistochemical expression of keratin 20, CDX2, keratin 34βE12, keratin 5/6, p63, p40, β-Catenin, Cyclin D1 and mismatch repair protein (MMR) expression in both squamous and glandular components are described. All ASCs showed aggressive clinico-pathologic features; all cases showed at least one aggressive pathologic characteristic (poorly differentiated, vascular invasion, infiltrative growth pattern) and 69% of cases were either stage III or IV. The squamous component was keratin 34βE12 positive in all cases and keratin 5/6 positive in 27 cases, while only 7 cases showed p63 and/or p40 expression. β-Catenin and Cyclin D1 showed different expression, with nuclear staining of Cyclin D1 in the squamous component of all cases (both primary and metastatic lesions) and nuclear staining of β-Catenin predominantly in the glandular component. All but one case showed proficient MMR profile. Sixteen patients (64%) died of their disease with median survival of 10 months. ASC show aggressive clinical outcome and aggressive pathologic characteristics. A peculiar keratin 34βE12 positive profile in the squamous component is seen differing from squamous cell carcinoma and non-intestinal ASC. The staining patterns for β-Catenin and Cyclin D1 between components, supports a possible divergent clonal evolution of the neoplasm.

Keywords: Adenosquamous carcinoma; CTNN1B; Colorectal carcinoma; Cyclin D1; β-Catenin.