[Markers in the detection and prevention of colorectal carcinomas (author's transl)].

The ever increasing frequency of colorectal carcinomas in Western countries justifies the search for, and development of early detection and prevention methods. The use of markers should improve the prognosis of such cancers in the near future. With the exception of occult blood testing, which has been used in mass screening, most markers are still reserved for high risk population studies. These markers will also help to detect pre-neoplastic conditions where prevention would be possible.