White spots around colorectal tumors are cancer-related findings and may aid endoscopic diagnosis: a prospective study in Japan

Kai Korekawa, Yusuke Shimoyama, Fumiyoshi Fujishima, Hiroshi Nagai, Takeo Naito, Rintaro Moroi, Hisashi Shiga, Yoichi Kakuta, Yoshitaka Kinouchi, Atsushi Masamune

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background/Aims: During endoscopy, white spots (WS) are sometimes observed around benign or malignant colorectal tumors; however, few reports have investigated WS, and their significance remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the significance of WS from clinical and pathological viewpoints and evaluated its usefulness in endoscopic diagnosis. Methods: Clinical data of patients with lesions diagnosed as epithelial tumors from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, were analyzed (n=3,869). We also performed a clinicopathological analysis of adenomas or carcinomas treated with endoscopic resection (n=759). Subsequently, detailed pathological observations of the WS were performed. Results: The positivity rates for WS were 9.3% (3,869 lesions including advanced cancer and non-adenoma/carcinoma) and 25% (759 lesions limited to adenoma and early carcinoma). Analysis of 759 lesions showed that the WS-positive lesion group had a higher proportion of cancer cases and larger tumor diameters than the WS-negative group. Multiple logistic analysis revealed the following three statistically significant risk factors for carcinogenesis: positive WS, flat lesions, and tumor diameter ≥5 mm. Pathological analysis revealed that WS were macrophages that phagocytosed fat and mucus and were white primarily because of fat. Conclusions: WS are cancer-related findings and can become a new criterion for endoscopic resection in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)637-646
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Endoscopy
Volume57
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024 Sept

Keywords

  • Adenoma
  • Colorectal neoplasms
  • Colorectal tumors
  • Endoscopic diagnosis
  • White spots

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