In situ standardised AgNOR analysis: a simplified method for routine use to determine prognosis and chemotherapy efficiency in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Standardised AgNOR analysis as recommended by the Committee on AgNOR Quantitation of the European Society of Pathology is now regarded as the gold standard, particularly when retrospective studies on archival, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded material are performed. This article deals with the implementation of the standardised AgNOR method in colorectal carcinoma and its consequent impact on clinical decision making. First, the clinical relevance of AgNOR analysis as a major and independent prognostic factor in exclusively surgically treated adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum is elucidated. Additionally, due to the fact that in last 10 years 5-Fluorouracil based chemotherapy and radiotherapy have become standard treatment in a variety of tumour stages, the outstanding predictive power of AgNOR analysis with regard to chemotherapy efficiency is emphasised.