title: The adenoma-carcinoma sequence of the colon and rectum.
abstract: Morphological and epidemiological arguments in favour of an adenoma-carcinoma concept of evolution in the development of colorectal cancers are presented. It is highly probable that most colorectal cancers arise in adenomas. Therefore detection and endoscopic removal of adenomas is a means of reducing the incidence of colorectal carcinomas.
mesh_terms: D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*