AUTHOR=An Yang , Zhou Jiaolin , Lin Guole , Wu Huanwen , Cong Lin , Li Yunhao , Qiu Xiaoyuan , Shi Weikun TITLE=Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Colorectal Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma: A Review JOURNAL=Pathology and Oncology Research VOLUME=27 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.por-journal.com/journals/pathology-and-oncology-research/articles/10.3389/pore.2021.1609859 DOI=10.3389/pore.2021.1609859 ISSN=1532-2807 ABSTRACT=
Colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC) with unique characteristics. Due to the limited researches on it, a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of this subtype is still lacking. In this article, we summarize the clinicopathological features and molecular characteristics of colorectal SRCC based on a literature review. Clinically, SRCC has been associated with young age, proximal site preference, advanced tumor stage, high histological grade, high rate of lymph node involvement, frequent peritoneal metastasis, and a significantly poor prognosis. Regarding molecular characteristics, in SRCC, the mutation burden of the classic signaling pathways that include WNT/β-catenin, RAS/RAF/MAPK, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways are generally reduced. In contrast, some genes related to the “epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process” and the “stem cell properties”, including