title: Molecular prognostics in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Conventional staging of colorectal cancer does not account for the marked variability in outcome that exists within each stage. Certain populations of patients with early recurrence, resistance to chemotherapy and decreased survival cannot be predicted utilizing common histopathologic criteria. As the molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal carcinogenesis are elucidated, putative molecular prognostic factors are identified. A comprehensive review of various molecular markers and their roles as prognostic factors in colorectal cancer is presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. kahlenberg@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Morton S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kahlenberg
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Diana Dickson
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Witmer
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Petrelli
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome