From the Research
Colon adenosquamous carcinoma is a highly aggressive form of colorectal cancer with a worse prognosis than conventional adenocarcinoma, as evident from the most recent study in 2021 1. This rare subtype, accounting for less than 0.1% of all colorectal cancers, demonstrates more aggressive biological behavior with earlier metastasis, higher rates of local invasion, and poorer overall survival rates. The aggressive nature of this cancer stems from its mixed histology, containing both glandular (adenocarcinoma) and squamous cell components, which may contribute to treatment resistance. Key characteristics of colon adenosquamous carcinoma include:
- Earlier metastasis
- Higher rates of local invasion
- Poorer overall survival rates compared to conventional adenocarcinoma
- Presentation at advanced stages (Stage III or IV) at diagnosis
- Median survival of approximately 12-24 months compared to 30-36 months for conventional adenocarcinoma Treatment typically involves aggressive surgical resection when possible, followed by combination chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFOX (leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) or FOLFIRI (leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan), often with targeted therapies based on molecular profiling, as seen in a case report from 2019 2. Due to its aggressiveness, early detection, comprehensive staging, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches are crucial for managing this challenging malignancy, with radical resection remaining the major treatment for colon adenosquamous carcinoma, as reported in the 2021 study 1.