Alteration of colonic mucin after ureterosigmoidostomy

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing urinary diversion by ureterosigmoidostomy after complete cystectomy for malignant bladder tumors show a high incidence of neoplasia at and near the site of anastomosis. We examined a risk factor for tumor occurrence in the area of anastomosis, alterations of mucus glycoproteins in the surrounding colonic mucosa. METHODS: Colonoscopy was performed in 37 patients who had undergone ureterosigmoidostomy. Biopsy specimens were obtained near the ureteral anastomosis and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, high iron-diamine alcian blue (pH 2.5), and a fluorescent lectin conjugate (peanut agglutinin). RESULTS: At the anastomotic site colonoscopy showed protruding lesions in 26 of 37 patients (71 percent), all histologically representing inflammatory granulomas. The mucosa around the anastomosis was normal in endoscopic appearance; however, histologically, slight inflammatory cell infiltration, edema, and increased numbers of Paneth cells were observed. Alcian blue staining revealed an increase in mucosal sialomucin postoperatively compared with preoperatively. The proportion of peanut agglutinin-binding mucin, not observed in normal mucosa but seen in malignant or premalignant tissue, was increased. CONCLUSION: As postoperative interval increases, changes in properties of the 'background' mucosa become greater, which suggests an association with colonic carcinogenesis.