title: Contributions of the molecular biologist in gastrointestinal cancer and precancer screening: current possibilities and future prospects.
abstract: Molecular biology has become an integral part of research aimed at improving diagnosis, therapy, and ultimately prevention of malignant disease. This article focuses on the current possibilities and limitations of molecular biology to improve existing screening and surveillance protocols in specific gastrointestinal disease entities frequently encountered in routine clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Craanen
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Offerhaus
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Tytgat
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics*