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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignant epithelial tumor arising from the mucosal lining of the colon or rectum. The vast majority (~95%) are adenocarcinomas.

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CRC represents a major global health burden, ranking as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVTeLRdf3eE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6v-y6hr4EQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9nmRjmHJ-U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44Eq2pZO9LM

![Colorectal cancer (CRC) stages and development. There are four stages in the development of CRC carcinogenesis: initiation, promotion, progression, and metastasis. The liver is the most common metastatic site, followed by the lung and bone. Although it is difficult to determine the duration required for each stage, decades will likely be required to form CRC. The figure was created using BioRender.com (accessed on 30 December 2021).

Hossain MS, Karuniawati H, Jairoun AA, Urbi Z, Ooi DJ, John A, Lim YC, Kibria KMK, Mohiuddin AKM, Ming LC, et al. Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies. Cancers. 2022; 14(7):1732. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14071732](attachment:5a36ad69-33e6-4efc-a197-a86cd49fece2:image.png)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stages and development. There are four stages in the development of CRC carcinogenesis: initiation, promotion, progression, and metastasis. The liver is the most common metastatic site, followed by the lung and bone. Although it is difficult to determine the duration required for each stage, decades will likely be required to form CRC. The figure was created using BioRender.com (accessed on 30 December 2021).

Hossain MS, Karuniawati H, Jairoun AA, Urbi Z, Ooi DJ, John A, Lim YC, Kibria KMK, Mohiuddin AKM, Ming LC, et al. Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies. Cancers. 2022; 14(7):1732. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14071732

Epidemiology

• Peak incidence: 6th–7th decade of life.
• Slight male predominance.
• Geographic variation: Higher incidence in developed/Western nations.
• Lifetime risk: ~5–6%.

Risk Factors

Genetic/Hereditary:

• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP, APC mutation)
• Lynch syndrome (HNPCC, mismatch repair gene mutations)
• MUTYH-associated polyposis
• Peutz–Jeghers, Juvenile polyposis (rare)