Adenoma-carcinoma sequence

Scheme of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence according to Vogelstein

The concept of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence states that the vast majority of colorectal carcinomas (colloquially: colon cancer) arise from adenomas through stages of genetic mutations . The American doctor Bert Vogelstein is considered to be its founder .

This hypothesis was only proven after endoscopic polypectomy (removal of polyps) from all sections of the colon became possible in 1970 . These examinations laid the basis for the colonoscopy screening in Germany from 2002 onwards.

In molecular genetic terms, the inactivation of the APC - tumor suppressor gene through mutation or loss of the gene is the first thing, followed by a mutation of the K-Ras proto-oncogene. This is followed by mutations in the DCC tumor suppressor gene and the inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene .

literature

1. ^ B. Vogelstein, ER Fearon, SR Hamilton, SE Kern, AC Preisinger, M. Leppert, Y. Nakamura, R. White, AM Smits, JL Bos: Genetic alterations during colorectal-tumor development. In: N Engl J Med . 319 (9), Sep 1, 1988, pp. 525-532. PMID 2841597
2. ^ P. Deyhle: Results of endoscopic polypectomy in the gastrointestinal tract. In: Endoscopy . Suppl. 1980, pp. 35-46. PMID 7408789

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !