Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum
Definition
- Adenocarcinoma, arising in the colon or rectum, of which >50% of the lesion is composed of mucin
Return to Colorectal Adenocarcinoma NOS
Diagnostic Criteria
- Colorectal adenocarcinoma of which >50% of the lesion is extracellular mucin
- Pools of mucin dissect through the stroma
- Mucin pools contain malignant epithelium
- Strips of cells may float freely in or partially line the pools
- Gland formation and single cells may be seen
- Signet ring cells may be present
- If >50% of cells are signet ring, see Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma
- Signet ring cells may be present
- If <50% of lesion is composed of mucin, designate as:
- Adenocarcinoma with mucinous component
Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting/updates : 1/31/10, 11/12/11
