GENETICS OF COLORECTAL AND BREAST-CANCER

Colorectal and breast cancers account for a significant number of deat hs due to malignant neoplasia. Laboratory medicine plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of these tumors through the appli cation of histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and serologic identifi cation of tumor markers. Approximately 5% to 10% of colorectal and bre ast cancers result from an inherited predisposition. The genes respons ible for most genetically transmitted cancers have been identified, an d the application of findings from molecular pathology are being evalu ated. This article reviews the genetic changes that occur as a result of somatic mutation and inherited or germline mutations.