When each of these three markers is evaluated, in the light of clinical and pathological parameters, MUC1 and MUC5AC may be accepted as significant prognostic parameters and may be useful in showing the progression of the tumors; MUC2 may be used in determining the mucinous carcinomas.
In conclusion, these results demonstrate that Le(y) and MUC1 immunoreactivity correlate with malignant transformation in the colorectum, whereas MUC2 represents a marker for low-grade dysplasia and the subtype of mucinous carcinomas.