Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Microsatellite instability is a well-recognised phenomenon. Ten to 15% of sporadic colorectal cancers with a high level of MSI form a well defined group with distinct clinicopathological features. The set of tumours with low level of microsatellite instability (MSI-low), though widely referred to, is not a clearly defined group. The definitions of MSI-low have varied among groups and between different studies from the same group. Some studies have found associations between the MSI-L phenotype and molecular features, notably a higher frequency of K-ras mutations, and, possibly, methylation of methylguanine methyltransferase. Two recent independent studies, however, showed respectively that 68% and 79%, non-MSI-H cancers showed some MSI and could therefore be classed nominally as MSI-L. There was no evidence for a qualitatively discrete MSI-L group, but quantitative differences in the level of MSI were found.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/path.1071

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Pathol

Publication Date

05/2002

Volume

197

Pages

6 - 13

Keywords

Colorectal Neoplasms, Humans, Microsatellite Repeats