Contributions of molecular genetics to the clinical management of colorectal cancer

Molecular genetics is a tool that can be learned as a language to assist clinicians in the management of colorectal cancer patients. Following a brief review of the genetic controls of colorectal cancer, the author focuses on the models of the Registry for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and the Registry for Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer to demonstrate most vividly the impact molecular genetics is currently having on the practical management of colon cancer. Recent discoveries of K-ras oncogene mutations in stool cultures and the prognostic implications of mutations of the TP53 and DCC genes are discussed in the context of future applications to the management of patients.