TGFB1 and neoplasm: CD68 hotspots were prognostic for survival & were associated with the potential of hepatic metastasis & the interval between colon resection & the occurrence of hepatic metastasisPatients with stage IIIB cancer & higher macrophage density in the invasive front of the tumor had a higher 5‐year survival rate after resectionStaining for identification of macrophage phenotypes showed a large proportion of HLA‐DR, IL‐10 & IL‐12 positive macrophages, a smaller proportion of TGF‐β1 positive macrophages & absence of IL‐12 positive macrophages.