Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum
Definition
- Adenocarcinoma, arising in the colon or rectum, of which >50% of the lesion is composed of signet ring cells
Return to Colorectal Adenocarcinoma NOS
Diagnostic Criteria
- Colorectal adenocarcinoma composed of >50% signet ring cells
- Distended mucin vacuole displaces cytologically atypical nucleus to one side
- May also be associated with extracellular mucin
- If >50% of area of tumor is extracellular mucin, see Mucinous Adenocarcinoma
- If ≤50% signet ring cells, designate as:
- Adenocarcinoma with signet ring component
Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting/updates : 1/31/10, 11/12/11
