Gene structure and expression in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer provides a unique model for the study of molecular changes that are associated with tumorigenesis. The cancer evolves as an apparent ordered sequence from a benign to a malignant lesion in histopathological recognizable stages. Since it is relatively easy to isolate tissue representing each of these stages, studies of molecular events associated with tumor progression are feasible. Such studies have shown that multiple changes in gene structure, expression and activity occur during tumorigenesis.