No relationship between the distribution of mast cells and the survival of stage IIIB colon cancer patients
2011

Mast Cells and Stage IIIB Colon Cancer Survival

Sample size: 93 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Xia Qing, Wu Xiao-Jun, Zhou Qiang, Jing-Zeng, Hou Jing-Hui, Pan Zhi-Zhong, Zhang Xiao-Shi

Primary Institution: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center

Hypothesis

Do mast cells contribute to the progression of stage IIIB colon cancer?

Conclusion

Mast cell counts varied by location, but none were related to 5-year survival, indicating they do not contribute to the progression of stage IIIB colon cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mast cell counts were higher in normal mucosa adjacent to cancer than in cancer stroma.
  • Mast cell counts in lymph node metastasis were not significantly different from adjacent lymph tissue.
  • Mast cell counts did not correlate with overall survival in the study population.

Takeaway

The study looked at how many mast cells were in different parts of colon cancer tissues, but found that these cells didn't help patients live longer.

Methodology

Analyzed mast cell counts in primary cancer tissues and lymph nodes from 93 stage IIIB colon cancer patients.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to the small sample size.

Limitations

The sample size was small and there may be selection bias.

Participant Demographics

Patients with stage IIIB colon cancer, collected between January 1997 and July 2004.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P = 0.000

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5876-9-88

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