RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the difference between colorectal adenocarcinomas with white spots (foamy cells) and those without white spots, clinically and histopathologically, were examined 37 cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas were classified in this study. METHODS: Two groups: those with white spots and those without. In each case, evidence of lymph node and liver metastasis was sought. Immunoreactive staining for macrophage was performed. RESULTS: Increased incidence of exophytic tumors was found (73%, p=0.028) in the group with white spots. The incidences of lymph node metastasis were 33% vs. 45% between the group with white spots and the group of without, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that foamy cells might have a beneficial role in colorectal cancer, although they were not statistically significant. Therefore, further prospective study be warranted.