Cause, Epidemiology, and Histology of Polyps and Pathways to Colorectal Cancer

Overview

Journal Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am

Specialties Gastroenterology
Pharmacology
Radiology

Date 2022 Apr 1

PMID 35361330

Authors

Brian A Sullivan

Michael Noujaim

Jatin Roper

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality, with a lifetime risk of approximately 4% to 5%. Colorectal cancer develops from the sequential acquisition of defined genetic mutations in the colonic epithelium. Tumorigenesis from normal tissue to cancer occurs largely through 3 pathways: the chromosomal instability pathway, the microsatellite instability pathway, and the sessile serrated pathway. Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have decreased by approximately 35% since the beginning of screening programs in the 1990s, although other factors such as use of aspirin for coronary disease prevention and decreased smoking rates may also be important. In this review, we discuss the etiology, epidemiology, and histology of colorectal polyps and cancer.

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