title: From dinosaurs to DNA: a history of colorectal cancer.
abstract: The roots of colorectal cancer date back to antiquity. In this short history of colorectal cancer we trace its clinical and research origins from ancient times through the dark ages, middle ages, to the scientific and medical advances of the seventeenth to twentieth centuries and into the twenty-first century.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Colorectal Diseases, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland. hemulc@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hugh E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Mulcahy
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hyland
authors.forename: Diarmuid P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000266:history; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000266:history; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans