Colorectal carcinoma as a genetic phenomenon.

Carcinogenesis in human large intestine is a result of multiple, heterogeneous and random genetic changes. Deletion of tumor suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes appear to be important molecular events. These compromise the loss of chromosomes 5, 17, 18 or functional inactivation of FAP, p53 and DCC genes. Activation of Ki-ras and c-myc oncogenes seems to be crucial for both cell immortalization and morphology modification. Identification of genes involved in this process enables both a screening and a new classification. Also it is an important step towards a gene therapy.