p34^cdc2 expression is an independent indicator for lymph node metastasis in colorectal carcinoma

Purpose: The significance of p34^cdc2 expression in human tumors has not been fully explained. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the clinicopathologic significance of immunohistochemical p34^cdc2 expression in carcinoma of the colon and rectum. Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of p34^cdc2 was examined in 90 consecutive colorectal tumor cases, and p34^cdc2 expression and the clinicopathologic features of the patients and their tumors were compared. Results: Lymph node metastasis was significantly more frequent in tumors expressing p34^cdc2 (47.8%, 11 of 23 tumors) than in tumors not expressing p34^cdc2 (22.4%, 15 of 67 tumors; P=0.020). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumor depth (P=0.008) and p34^cdc2 expression (P=0.022) were independently associated with lymph node metastases of colorectal carcinomas. Conclusions: The immunohistochemical expression of p34^cdc2 is independently associated with lymph node metastasis in colorectal carcinoma.