The prognostic value of tumour budding for survival in stage II and III colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Yao Shu, Heng Zhang, Alessandro Lugli et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether high-grade tumour budding (TB) predicts survival in stage II and III colorectal cancer. It included 43 studies involving 17,831 patients and pooled survival estimates using random-effects models. In univariable analyses, high-grade TB was associated with worse disease-free survival (HR 2.53, 95% CI 2.14-3.00), overall survival (HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.69-3.42) and cancer-specific survival (HR 3.37, 95% CI 2.19-5.19). Multivariable analyses supported its independent prognostic value, with adverse outcomes in both stages.
Key findings
- High-grade TB was associated with worse disease-free survival (HR 2.53, 95% CI 2.14-3.00) in univariable analysis.
- Associations were also observed for overall survival (HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.69-3.42) and cancer-specific survival (HR 3.37, 95% CI 2.19-5.19).
- Multivariable analyses confirmed independent prognostic value for all three outcomes; adverse associations were consistent in stage II and stage III disease.
Why it matters
The findings support high-grade TB as a prognostic feature across stage II and III colorectal cancer, with associations spanning disease-free, overall and cancer-specific survival. This may help refine histopathological risk assessment. Prognostic information, however, does not by itself establish that changing treatment according to TB improves outcomes.
What to keep in mind
The analysis pooled results from studies rather than testing a TB-guided intervention; the abstract notes that prospective validation is needed before TB can guide therapeutic decisions.