SEER database analysis of prognostic impact of tumor deposits in colorectal cancer

The identification of tumor deposits (TDs) plays a limited role in staging of colorectal cancer (CRC) aside from N1c lymph node designation. Analysis of the SEER database evaluated the prognostic impact of TDs in CRC. In total, 147,783 patients with resected stage I-III primary CRC were identified. TDs were present in 15,444 patients (10.5%). Presence of TDs was significantly associated with adverse tumor characteristics, including advanced pathological stage, nodal status, and metastasis status. Presence of TDs was associated with worse cancer specific-survival (HR 3.12; 95% 3.02-3,22), as it was for each given N category. The presence of multiple TDs was also associated with decreased CSS for each given N category compared with a single TD. The authors conclude that TDs were identified as an independent predictor of worse outcome in patients with CRC.