A study of carcinogenesis-related molecular markers in the patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal adenoma.

The chromosomal instability (CIN) pathway, the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) pathway and the microsatellite instability (MSI) pathway are three major carcinogenesis pathways to colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, the investigators aimed to investigate distinctive molecular features of carcinogenesis pathways among healthy control, colorectal adenoma, and CRC and compare their molecular progression according to patients' sex and tumor location as well as disease stage.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Control group: subjects with no evidence of colorectal adenoma or colorectal cancer
• Colorectal adenoma group: Patients with colorectal adenomas greater than or equal to 10 mm in diameter according to the endoscopic presentation as well as histological validation of colorectal adenoma.
• Colorectal cancer group: Patients whose biopsy specimen is histologically confirmed as colorectal adenocarcinoma

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects age under 18 years
• Previous history of colorectal neoplasms
• Patients with high bleeding risk or patients who must maintain anti-coagulant or anti-platelet agents
• Denial to participate in this study

Patients who visited Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for gastrointestinal symptomes or regular check-ups, and agreed to participate.