Are there several types of colorectal carcinomas? Correlations with genetic data.
Molecular studies have shown that different genetic pathways are involved in the history of colorectal carcinomas. This suggests that a correlation exists between the molecular, clinical and pathological features of tumours. Two large groups can be individualized: the first group is characterized by allelic losses and hyperdiploidy. These LOH (for loss of heterozygosity)-positive tumours represent 80% of colorectal carcinomas. Among them more than two-thirds are located in the distal colon. They have the worst prognosis. The second group has a normal diploid pattern and a phenotypic microsatellite instability without allelic losses. These tumours represent 10-15% of all colorectal carcinomas and about 30% of the right-sided tumours. They are associated with a better prognosis. In the future, it would perhaps be better to classify colorectal carcinomas according to their molecular features rather than to their topographical localizations.
Martin
L
L
Laboratoire d'anatomopathologie, Faculté de Médecine, Dijon, France.
Assem
M
M
Piard
F
F
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate
D005819:Genetic Markers