β-catenin expression and colorectal adenoma with canceration

Objective To investigate the relationship between β catenin expression and colorectal adenoma with canceration. Methods The expression levels of β catenin in 25 cases of normal colorectal mucosa (NCM), 42 cases of colorectal adenoma (CA), and 19 cases of colorectal adenoma with canceration (CAC) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results β catenin expression was detected on the cell membrane in normal colorectal mucosa. Reduced membrane expression, cytoplasmic and nuclear expression were detected in the colorectal adenoma and adenoma with canceration. The cytoplasmic and nuclear expression rate of β catenin was 89.5% in colorectal adenoma with canceration, significantly higher than that in colorectal adenoma(42 9%, P 0 01). The reduced membrane expression rate of β catenin was 33.3% in colorectal adenoma and 42 1% in colorectal adenoma with canceration, respectively. Conclusion The abnormal expression of β catenin might be one of the important steps in the canceration of colorectal adenoma.