Molecular Pathways, Screening and Follow-up of Colorectal Carcinogenesis: An Overview

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum. This kind of cancer presents with a broad spectrum of neoplasms from benign to metastatic forms. The development of the majority of colon cancers appears from adenomatous polyps or adenomas systematically. At least three molecular pathways are involved in CRC pathogenesis including chromosomal instability (CIN), microsatellite instability (MSI) and the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). Methods such as fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy (FOS), computed tomographic colonography (CTC), and fecal DNA are commonly used for CRC screening. The current review discusses the signs and symptoms associated with CRC, molecular pathways related to CRC and some strategies for current screening, diagnosis and treatment.