In this lecture we will go through 5 important things we should know about molecular diagnosis or diagnostics in colorectal cancer.
- First, we will talk about the concept of molecular diagnostics.
- Second, we will remember the 3 main genetic pathways behind colorectal cancer development, the different mutations involved in the evolution of a normal cell to a cancer cell and the molecular aspects of hereditary and non-hereditary CRC.
- Third, we will show the known molecular differences between right-sided and left-sided cancer and their implications in the different phenotypes and prognosis.
- Fourth, we will talk about the different diagnostic markers, their clinical implications and how to test for them.
- And Fifth, and finally we will discuss the therapeutic and prognostic implications of these molecular markers and an algorithm for testing.
