Study of How Blood Vessel Invasion Affects Spread in Colorectal Cancer Using Stored Tissue Samples

What this Trial Is About

Bowel cancer is a common and serious cancer, ranking fourth in occurrence and second in cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Despite treatment advances, over 40% of patients die within five years, mostly due to the cancer spreading to other organs, called metastases. Current research focuses on additional treatments before or after surgery, but identifying which patients benefit from these treatments is challenging. This study investigates whether cancer spreads through blood vessels rather than lymph nodes, aiming to improve patient treatment selection. This research is a retrospective, non-interventional study analyzing archival tissue samples collected during routine care. The study examines genetic material from primary tumors, areas of blood vessel invasion called Extramural Venous Invasion EMVI, tumor deposits, lymph nodes, and distant metastases. By reconstructing the tumors family tree, researchers aim to map how the cancer spreads and test if the vascular route is more important than lymph nodes in metastasis. Participants have already provided tissue samples through their medical care, so no new treatments or interventions occur. Researchers will compare genetic and staining profiles of tumor samples and evaluate survival based on tumor origins. The main measure is the link between EMVI, tumor deposits, lymph nodes, and distant metastases, with results expected one year after the last patient is registered. This study is observational and does not involve treatment changes or additional visits.

EMVI as a Determinant of Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer