Classification based on the combination of molecular and pathologic predictors is superior to molecular classification on prognosis in colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Classification based on a combination of molecular and pathologic predictors had never been done using hierarchical cluster analysis. For this purpose, we identified prognostic classification based on molecular predictors, pathologic and molecular predictors, and compared their respective prognostic efficacy together with that of tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Moreover, we investigated the prognostic significance of molecular classification in different TNM stage. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Six pathologic predictors (p) and 13 immunohistochemical predictors (m) were investigated in 221 colorectal carcinomas. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was done to group the data. Survival analysis was done by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, and by multivariate COX proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Six pathologic predictors and four molecular predictors were of significant prognostic value (P