Familial and genetic aspects of colorectal carcinogenesis.

There is abundant clinical and pathological evidence which suggests that colorectal cancer arises in a sequential manner through a series of events that can be followed during the progression of the disease from early adenoma through to metastatic disease. The molecular events that are associated with the initiation and progression of the disease are gradually being unravelled. As the molecular characterisation of colorectal cancer continues, new mechanisms by which the disease progresses are becoming evident. In this short review, a brief description of current knowledge of colorectal cancer development is presented.