Stage III and metastatic Lymph Node Ratio are the only independent prognostic factors in colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma patients

Background/aim: Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is an uncommon histological variant of colorectal cancer (CRC). Knowledge is scarce due to its rarity. Our aim was to better evaluate the clinicopathologic and prognostic features of this little-known malignancy. Patients and methods: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with non-metastatic colorectal SRCC undergoing curative resection at University Hospital of Parma between 2000 and 2018 were examined in this retrospective analysis. Results: Mean overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 33.6 and 31.5 months, respectively. At univariate analysis, the lymph-related parameters (nodal status, Stage III, metastatic lymph node ratio and lymphovascular invasion) were significantly associated with shorter OS and poorer DFS. At multivariate analysis, Stage III and a metastatic lymph node ratio ≥25% were found to be the only independent prognostic factors significantly correlated with worse OS and DFS. Conclusion: Nodal and lymphatic status should be carefully pondered when planning the most appropriate management of patients with colorectal SRCC.