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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 14, 2014; 20(22): 6809-6814
Published online Jun 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i22.6809
Prognostic and predictive significance of MSI in stages II/III colon cancer
Zacharenia Saridaki, John Souglakos, Vassilis Georgoulias
Zacharenia Saridaki, John Souglakos, Vassilis Georgoulias, Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Zacharenia Saridaki, John Souglakos, Vassilis Georgoulias, Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Author contributions: Saridaki Z and Souglakos J designed the review and wrote the manuscript; Georgoulias V was involved in editing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: John Souglakos, MD, PhD, Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Voutes, PO BOX 1352, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. georgsec@med.uoc.gr
Telephone: +30-2810-392783 Fax: +30-2810-392857
Received: October 13, 2013
Revised: December 29, 2013
Accepted: March 4, 2014
Published online: June 14, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II colon cancer is still a subject of controversy. Stage II tumors are highly heterogeneous, with five-year relative overall survival rates ranging from 58.4% to 87.5%. Recently reported European Society for Medical Oncology guidelines suggest that microsatellite instability (MSI) should be evaluated in stage II colorectal cancer patients in order to contribute in treatment decision-making regarding chemotherapy administration. The current report critically evaluates the prognostic and predictive impact of MSI status in patients with stage II and stage III colon cancer.