Colorectal cancer is the third most often cause of morbidity and mortality due to
cancer in Poland. Thromboembolic complications are common events during the course of the disease. It is well known that
hemostatic proteins play an important role in
cancer progression. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the in loco interactions among colorecatal
cancer and
coagulation factors. 21 cases of G2 colorectal
adenocarcinoma obtained during surgical resection were examined. Immunohistochemical procedures according to ABC method were employed.
Tissue factor (TF) and
coagulation factors II, VII, X, IX were observed in
cancer cells and except factors II and IX--in tumor associated macrophages. TF was also demonstrated in endothelial cells of small blood vessels. Strong expression of
fibrinogen was observed among connective tissue at some distance around malignant
tumor while weaker expression was found in
tumor stroma. Expression of F(1+2), the by-product of
thrombin generation, was revealed in
cancer cells, macrophages and in the
tumor stroma. The results indicate extravascular activation of blood coagulation in loco in
colorectal cancer that is TF-dependent.