the principal research objective is to form a database of tissue samples from patients with colorectal (bowel) cancer. The tissue samples that will be used for this research will have already been taken for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. We will also be asking for consent for a research blood sample. The database will be used to improve our understanding of the molecular genetics and gene expression patterns in colorectal cancer.

All patients at the Royal Marsden with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer will be eligible to enter this study. This will include patients both with early and advanced disease, provided they give informed consent. They will give written consent to participate, to include consent for analysis of existing tumour tissue and consent for collection of demographic and clinicopathological data relating to their case and its future outcome, and consent for a blood sample to be taken for research purposes. Additionally, old samples of material surplus to clinical requirements may be collected without specific consent if there is no possibility that it would affect the patient's interest (eg the patient has died).

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults who have a terminal illness
• 18 and over
• confirmed diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma
• ability to give informed consent
• paraffin embedded histological material available for analysis

Exclusion Criteria:

• medical or psychiatric conditions
• impairing ability to give informed consent

All patients at the Royal Marsden with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer will be eligible to enter this study.

Adults who have a terminal illness