Identification of colon cancer patients by molecular diagnosis.

The important causal role of DNA alterations in cancer development implies that tumor specific DNA mutations might serve as ideal parameters in cancer diagnosis. In particular the detection of mutations in fecal DNA might complement the current methods for the early diagnosis of colorectal tumors. Over the last 10 years many studies have proven the usefulness and the feasibility of the fecal DNA analysis in the diagnosis of colon tumors. Technical difficulties have circumvented the clinical application and the broad screening by molecular diagnosis. Recent methodological proceedings together with the promising outcomes of first multi-target studies have put a diagnostic stool-based DNA test for colorectal tumors within close reach. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel