Pathological staging--new methods and practical applications.

Accurate prognostication for patients with colorectal cancer is dependent upon the meticulous collection of pathological data. Traditional pathological classifications have their limitations, even when data are subjected to the rigours of Cox regression analysis. Insight into the underlying mechanisms of growth and metastasis should not only provide a better guide to prognosis, but may lead to the development of new treatment strategies. It should be stressed, however, that basic research will falter unless there is close liaison between clinician, diagnostic pathologist and experimentalist.