title: The development of carcinoma of the colon.
abstract: Carcinoma of the colon usually starts as a small nidus of malignant cells on the tip of adenomatous/villous polyps. The term "early cancer of the colon" is introduced as part of the concept that there are stages in the development of colon cancer and that it can and should be treated at an early stage. Removal of polyps at any point in their development up to the stage of early invasiveness represents the most favorable time for resection and cure.
mesh_terms: D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D013997:Time Factors