Predictors of invasive cancer of large laterally spreading colorectal tumors: A multicenter study in Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) can be classified into four subtypes, the histopathological characteristics are known to differ among these subtypes. We therefore performed a logistic regression analysis to determine whether the risk of pathological T1 cancer of large colorectal LSTs can be predicted based on factors such as endoscopic findings in a large group of patients enrolled in a multicenter study in Japan. METHODS: In the main study, we assessed 1236 colorectal adenomas or early cancers that were classified as LSTs measuring 20 mm or more in diameter and treated endoscopically. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether factors such as the subtype of LST could be used to predict the risk of pathological T1 cancer. A validation study of 356 large colorectal LSTs was conducted to confirm the validity of the results obtained in the main study. RESULTS: The locations and tumor diameter of the LSTs in the main study were found to differ significantly according to the LST subclassification (P < 0.001). The frequency of pathological T1 cancers was the highest at 36% of LST nongranular pseudodepressed type, followed by 14% of LST nongranular flat‐elevated type, 11% of LST granular nodular mixed type, and 3% of LST granular homogenous type lesions. The risk of pathological T1 cancer was significantly associated with LST subclassification and tumor diameter. The area under the curve (AUC) was high (0.743). In the validation study, the AUC was 0.573. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with large colorectal LSTs resected endoscopically, the risk of pathological T1 cancer can be predicted on the basis of the LST subclassification and tumor diameter.