The multistep process of colon carcinogenesis.

Several different approaches have been used successfully to document some of the molecular genetic events that play a part in colorectal tumorigenesis. This appears to be a multistep process that involves activation of oncogens as well as inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. It is important to see that, while many molecular genetic changes that occur during this process have been well documented, many other are less clear and some not yet identified at all. Studies on colorectal tumor progression are likely to continue producing new data on the initiation and progression of human tumors. An important goal of such studies is the development of molecular markers for clinical use, new prognostic markers, and diagnostic tools. The progress, in view of clinical practise, has been slow, but molecular genetic studies will contribute considerably to clinical management of cancer patients sooner or later.