Colorectal tumourigenesis.
Colorectal cancer is significant because of its lethality and high incidence in the Western world. Furthermore, it is a particularly suitable model for studying the events involved in the progression from normal tissue to invasive cancer. There is a great deal of epidemiological and histopathologic evidence to implicate the adenomatous polyp as the precursor to colorectal cancer. Moreover in recent years investigators have uncovered some of the molecular genetic events that underlie the progression from normal epithelium to polyp to cancer. It is hoped that an increased understanding of the molecular changes will afford opportunities for new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic strategies in the management of this disease.
Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
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J
Peiser
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A
Smith
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Bapat
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Stern
D000236:Adenoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors