Difference between revisions of "Colorectal tumours"

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'''Colorectal tumours''' are very common.  They are the bread and butter of GI pathology.  Non-tumour colon is dealt with in the ''[[colon]]'' article.
'''Colorectal tumours''', especially '''colorectal carcinomas''', are very common.  They are the bread and butter of GI pathology.  Non-tumour colon is dealt with in the ''[[colon]]'' article.


An introduction to gastrointestinal pathology is in the ''[[gastrointestinal pathology]]'' article.  The precursor lesion of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is, typical, an adenomatous polyp.  Polyps are discussed in the ''[[intestinal polyps]]'' article.  
''Colonic tumours'' and ''rectal tumours'' redirect here.


==Classification==
An introduction to gastrointestinal pathology is in the ''[[gastrointestinal pathology]]'' article.  The precursor lesion of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is, typically, an [[adenomatous polyps|adenomatous polyp]].  Polyps are discussed in the ''[[intestinal polyps]]'' article.
 
=Classification=
===Most common===
===Most common===
*Colon & rectum - most common = [[adenocarcinoma]].<ref>{{Ref PBoD|864}}</ref>
*Colon & rectum - most common = [[colorectal adenocarcinoma|adenocarinoma]].<ref name=Ref_PBoD864>{{Ref PBoD|864}}</ref>


===Others===
===Others===
Other tumours - many (incomplete list):<ref>{{Ref WMSP|198}}</ref>
Other tumours - many (incomplete list):<ref name=Ref_WMSP198>{{Ref WMSP|198}}</ref>
*Mucinous carcinoma.
*[[Mucinous carcinoma]].
**Need > 50% mucinous component.<ref name=pmid17679024 >{{cite journal |author=Tozawa E, Ajioka Y, Watanabe H, ''et al.'' |title=Mucin expression, p53 overexpression, and peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration of advanced colorectal carcinoma with mucus component: is mucinous carcinoma a distinct histological entity? |journal=Pathol. Res. Pract. |volume=203 |issue=8 |pages=567–74 |year=2007 |pmid=17679024 |doi=10.1016/j.prp.2007.04.013 |url=}}</ref>
**Need > 50% mucinous component.<ref name=pmid17679024 >{{cite journal |author=Tozawa E, Ajioka Y, Watanabe H, ''et al.'' |title=Mucin expression, p53 overexpression, and peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration of advanced colorectal carcinoma with mucus component: is mucinous carcinoma a distinct histological entity? |journal=Pathol. Res. Pract. |volume=203 |issue=8 |pages=567–74 |year=2007 |pmid=17679024 |doi=10.1016/j.prp.2007.04.013 |url=}}</ref>
*Adenosquamous carcinoma.
*[[Adenosquamous carcinoma]].
*Signet-ring carcinoma.
*Signet-ring carcinoma.
*Squamous carcinoma.
*Squamous carcinoma.
*Neuroendocrine neoplasms (carcinoid tumours).
*[[Neuroendocrine neoplasm]]s (carcinoid tumours).
*[[Lipoma]].
*[[Lipoma]].
*[[Leiomyoma]].
*[[Leiomyoma]].
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Notes:
Notes:
*Mucinous carcinoma - percentage required to call varies by site:
*[[Mucinous carcinoma]] - percentage required to call varies by site:
**Colon/rectum: > 50%.<ref name=pmid17679024 >{{cite journal |author=Tozawa E, Ajioka Y, Watanabe H, ''et al.'' |title=Mucin expression, p53 overexpression, and peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration of advanced colorectal carcinoma with mucus component: is mucinous carcinoma a distinct histological entity? |journal=Pathol. Res. Pract. |volume=203 |issue=8 |pages=567–74 |year=2007 |pmid=17679024 |doi=10.1016/j.prp.2007.04.013 |url=}}</ref>
 
**Prostate gland:  > 25%.<ref name=pmid14976541>{{cite journal |author=Grignon DJ |title=Unusual subtypes of prostate cancer |journal=Mod. Pathol. |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=316–27 |year=2004 |month=March |pmid=14976541 |doi=10.1038/modpathol.3800052 |url=}}</ref>
**Breast: > 50%.<ref name=pmid20191033>{{cite journal |author=Park S, Koo J, Kim JH, Yang WI, Park BW, Lee KS |title=Clinicopathological characteristics of mucinous carcinoma of the breast in Korea: comparison with invasive ductal carcinoma-not otherwise specified |journal=J. Korean Med. Sci. |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=361–8 |year=2010 |month=March |pmid=20191033 |pmc=2826751 |doi=10.3346/jkms.2010.25.3.361 |url=}}</ref>
====Squamous carcinoma====
====Squamous carcinoma====
{{Main|Squamous carcinoma}}
*Rare.
*Rare.
**In the context of a rectal tumour, retrograde growth from the [[anus]] should be considered.
**In the context of a rectal tumour, retrograde growth from the [[anus]] should be considered.
Ref.: [http://www.pathconsultddx.com/pathCon/diagnosis?pii=S1559-8675%2806%2970532-0 SCC (pathconsultddx.com)].
==Grading==
*"Adenocarcinoma in situ" and "high-grade dysplasia" is used interchangeably by many in the colon and rectum.
**Splitting hairs - ''adenocarcinoma in situ'' is ''invasion into the lamina propria'', high-grade dysplasia does not have lamina propria invasion. Ergo, the difference (in my opinion) amounts to seeing a [[desmoplastic stroma]] (adenocarcinoma) or not seeing one (dysplasia).
Grading of tumours:
*Tis - in situ (intramucosal).
*T1 - into submucosa (through mucularis mucosae).
**This is '''different than elsewhere''', e.g. in the ''small bowel'' tumour cells in the ''lamina propria'' is defined as T1.  The rationale for the ''T1'' definition in CRC is that no lymphatics are present in the mucosa, ergo no risk of distant spread.
*T2 - into muscularis propria.
*T3 - into fat beyond musclaris propria.
*T4 - into something else.
Nodes:
*N0 - no positive nodes.
*N1 - 1-3 positive nodes.
*N2 - 4+ positive nodes.


==Staging of colorectal cancer==
==Staging of colorectal cancer==
===Simple version===
{{Main|Colorectal cancer staging}}
Tumour/node grade for stage:<ref>TN 2006 GS27.</ref>
*Stage I - '''T1 or T2''' N0 M0.
*Stage II - '''T3 or T4''' N0 M0.
*Stage III - Tx '''N1 or N2''' M0.
*Stage IV - Tx Nx '''M1'''.
 
===Complex version===
Detailed tumour/node grade for stage:<ref>[http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_colon_and_rectum_cancer_staged.asp http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_colon_and_rectum_cancer_staged.asp]</ref>
*Stage I - T1 or T2.
*Stage IIA - T3.
*Stage IIB - T4.
*Stage IIIA - T1 N1 or T2 N1.
*Stage IIIB - T3 N1 or T4 N1.
*Stage IIIC - Tx N2.
*Stage IV - Tx Nx M1.


==Pathogenesis==
==Pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma==
===Overview===
===Overview===
Colorectal carcinoma is thought to arise from one of two pathways:<ref name=pmid16483003>{{cite journal |author=Goldstein NS |title=Serrated pathway and APC (conventional)-type colorectal polyps: molecular-morphologic correlations, genetic pathways, and implications for classification |journal=Am. J. Clin. Pathol. |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=146–53 |year=2006 |month=January |pmid=16483003 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name=pmid18314605>{{cite journal |author=Rüschoff J, Aust D, Hartmann A |title=[Colorectal serrated adenoma: diagnostic criteria and clinical implications] |language=German |journal=Verh Dtsch Ges Pathol |volume=91 |issue= |pages=119–25 |year=2007 |pmid=18314605 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
Colorectal carcinoma is thought to arise from one of two pathways:<ref name=pmid16483003>{{cite journal |author=Goldstein NS |title=Serrated pathway and APC (conventional)-type colorectal polyps: molecular-morphologic correlations, genetic pathways, and implications for classification |journal=Am. J. Clin. Pathol. |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=146–53 |year=2006 |month=January |pmid=16483003 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name=pmid18314605>{{cite journal |author=Rüschoff J, Aust D, Hartmann A |title=[Colorectal serrated adenoma: diagnostic criteria and clinical implications] |language=German |journal=Verh Dtsch Ges Pathol |volume=91 |issue= |pages=119–25 |year=2007 |pmid=18314605 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
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#Serrated pathway, AKA mutator pathway, mismatch repair pathway.
#Serrated pathway, AKA mutator pathway, mismatch repair pathway.


===Mismatch repair pathway===
====Syndromes====
*Associated with microsatellite instability (MSI).
Both of the above described pathways are associated with syndromes:
*Common associated gene mutations:
#''[[Familial adenomatous polyposis]]'' (FAP) or ''familial polyposis coli'' (FPC).
*#MLH1.
#''Lynch syndrome'' ([[AKA]] ''[[hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome]]'' (HNPCC)).
*#PMS2.
*#MSH2.
*#MSH6.
*Less common gene mutations:
*#PMS1.
*#MLH3.
*#MSH3.
 
====IHC interpretation====
*Loss of nuclear staining in nuclei of the tumour = mutation.
**Nuclear staining = normal.
 
MSI staining loss patterns:<ref name=pmid20632815/>
*MLH1 and PMS2 are often lost together, as MLH1 loss results in PMS2 loss.
*MSH2 and MSH6 are often lost together, as MSH2 loss results in MSH6 loss.
 
Implication of MSI staining loss patterns:
*PMS2 & MSH6 can be used as a screen.<ref name=pmid20632815>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Hall | first1 = G. | last2 = Clarkson | first2 = A. | last3 = Shi | first3 = A. | last4 = Langford | first4 = E. | last5 = Leung | first5 = H. | last6 = Eckstein | first6 = RP. | last7 = Gill | first7 = AJ. | title = Immunohistochemistry for PMS2 and MSH6 alone can replace a four antibody panel for mismatch repair deficiency screening in colorectal adenocarcinoma. | journal = Pathology | volume = 42 | issue = 5 | pages = 409-13 | month =  | year = 2010 | doi = 10.3109/00313025.2010.493871 | PMID = 20632815 }}</ref>


=====Etiology/significance loss of staining=====
===Pathways===
*MSH2 mutations (IHC stain -ve) - often associated with a germline mutation,<ref name=pmid16216036>{{cite journal |author=Mangold E, Pagenstecher C, Friedl W, ''et al.'' |title=Tumours from MSH2 mutation carriers show loss of MSH2 expression but many tumours from MLH1 mutation carriers exhibit weak positive MLH1 staining |journal=J. Pathol. |volume=207 |issue=4 |pages=385–95 |year=2005 |month=December |pmid=16216036 |doi=10.1002/path.1858 |url=}}</ref> while mutations in MLH1 are usually sporatic.<ref>A. Pollett. 2010.</ref>
====APC gene mutation pathway====
*PMS2 mutations (IHC stain -ve) - often associated with a germline mutation.<ref name=pmid20205264>{{cite journal |author=Vaughn CP, Robles J, Swensen JJ, ''et al.'' |title=Clinical analysis of PMS2: mutation detection and avoidance of pseudogenes |journal=Hum. Mutat. |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=588–93 |year=2010 |month=May |pmid=20205264 |doi=10.1002/humu.21230 |url=}}</ref>
Microscopic:
*[[Adenomatous polyps]].


 
====Mismatch repair pathway====
How to remember the more important MSI stuff:
*Associated with [[microsatellite instability]] (MSI).
*The ''MSHs'' are paired together.
**''MSH'' (Mount Sinai Hospital) is where they started it in the city.
*''PMS'' sucks... it's with the other one (MLH).
*The higher numbers in the pairings (PMS2, MSH6) are the screening tests.
*The ''2''s (MSH2, PMS2) are associated with germline mutations (''Four legs good two legs bad.'').


===Other ancillary studies===
===Other ancillary studies===
*BRAF ''V600E'' missense mutation found in ~10% CRC.<ref name=pmid20635392>{{cite journal |author=Tie J, Gibbs P, Lipton L, ''et al.'' |title=Optimizing targeted therapeutic development: Analysis of a colorectal cancer patient population with the BRAF(V600E) mutation |journal=Int J Cancer |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2010 |month=July |pmid=20635392 |doi=10.1002/ijc.25555 |url=}}</ref>
*BRAF ''V600E'' missense mutation found in ~10% CRC.<ref name=pmid20635392>{{cite journal |author=Tie J, Gibbs P, Lipton L, ''et al.'' |title=Optimizing targeted therapeutic development: Analysis of a colorectal cancer patient population with the BRAF(V600E) mutation |journal=Int J Cancer |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2010 |month=July |pmid=20635392 |doi=10.1002/ijc.25555 |url=}}</ref>
*KRAS mutation status.
*[[KRAS mutation]] status.


====BRAF V600E mutation====
====BRAF V600E mutation====
{{Main|BRAF V600E mutation}}
Features:<ref name=pmid20635392/>
Features:<ref name=pmid20635392/>
*Independently associated with BRAF V600E:
*Independently associated with BRAF V600E:
Line 121: Line 67:


====KRAS mutation====
====KRAS mutation====
{{Main|KRAS mutation}}
Features:<ref name=pmid20956938>{{cite journal |author=Dunn EF, Iida M, Myers RA, ''et al.'' |title=Dasatinib sensitizes KRAS mutant colorectal tumors to cetuximab |journal=Oncogene |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2010 |month=October |pmid=20956938 |doi=10.1038/onc.2010.430 |url=}}</ref><ref name=pmid19001320>{{cite journal |author=Di Nicolantonio F, Martini M, Molinari F, ''et al.'' |title=Wild-type BRAF is required for response to panitumumab or cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer |journal=J. Clin. Oncol. |volume=26 |issue=35 |pages=5705–12 |year=2008 |month=December |pmid=19001320 |doi=10.1200/JCO.2008.18.0786 |url=}}</ref>
Features:<ref name=pmid20956938>{{cite journal |author=Dunn EF, Iida M, Myers RA, ''et al.'' |title=Dasatinib sensitizes KRAS mutant colorectal tumors to cetuximab |journal=Oncogene |volume= |issue= |pages= |year=2010 |month=October |pmid=20956938 |doi=10.1038/onc.2010.430 |url=}}</ref><ref name=pmid19001320>{{cite journal |author=Di Nicolantonio F, Martini M, Molinari F, ''et al.'' |title=Wild-type BRAF is required for response to panitumumab or cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer |journal=J. Clin. Oncol. |volume=26 |issue=35 |pages=5705–12 |year=2008 |month=December |pmid=19001320 |doi=10.1200/JCO.2008.18.0786 |url=}}</ref>
*Patient must have ''wild type'' KRAS to get drugs; KRAS mutation predicts resistance to cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix).
*Patient must have ''wild type'' KRAS to get drugs; KRAS mutation predicts resistance to [[cetuximab]] (Erbitux) and [[panitumumab]] (Vectibix).
**Cetuximab and panitumumab are EGFR inhibitors.
**Cetuximab and panitumumab are [[EGFR inhibitors]].


==MSI cancers==
==Microsatellite instability cancers==
===General===
*Abbreviated ''MSI cancers''.
Features:<ref name=pmid20420947>{{cite journal |author=Boland CR, Goel A |title=Microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer |journal=Gastroenterology |volume=138 |issue=6 |pages=2073–2087.e3 |year=2010 |month=June |pmid=20420947 |doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2009.12.064 |url=}}</ref>
{{Main|Microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer}}
*Prognosis: slightly better than other CRC without MSI.
*Treatment implication: different response to chemotherapy.


====MSI classification====
=Specific entities=
MSI associated cancers can be classified into:<ref name=pmid16106253>{{cite journal |author=Lawes DA, Pearson T, Sengupta S, Boulos PB |title=The role of MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 in the development of multiple colorectal cancers |journal=Br. J. Cancer |volume=93 |issue=4 |pages=472–7 |year=2005 |month=August |pmid=16106253 |pmc=2361590 |doi=10.1038/sj.bjc.6602708 |url=}}</ref><ref name=pmid11438476>{{cite journal |author=Guidoboni M, Gafà R, Viel A, ''et al.'' |title=Microsatellite instability and high content of activated cytotoxic lymphocytes identify colon cancer patients with a favorable prognosis |journal=Am. J. Pathol. |volume=159 |issue=1 |pages=297–304 |year=2001 |month=July |pmid=11438476 |pmc=1850401 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
==Colorectal adenocarcinoma==
*MSI-H >= 30% of loci have abnormality.
*[[AKA]] ''colorectal adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified''.
*MSI-L <30% of loci have abnormality.
*[[AKA]] ''colorectal carcinoma'', abbreviated ''CRC''.
{{Main|Colorectal adenocarcinoma}}


===Gross===
==Secondary colorectal cancer==
Features:<ref name=pmid20420947>{{cite journal |author=Boland CR, Goel A |title=Microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer |journal=Gastroenterology |volume=138 |issue=6 |pages=2073–2087.e3 |year=2010 |month=June |pmid=20420947 |doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2009.12.064 |url=}}</ref>
===General===
*Location: left-sided predominance.
*Uncommon.
*May be suspected.


===Microscopic===
===Microscopic===
Features:<ref name=pmid20420947>{{cite journal |author=Boland CR, Goel A |title=Microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer |journal=Gastroenterology |volume=138 |issue=6 |pages=2073–2087.e3 |year=2010 |month=June |pmid=20420947 |doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2009.12.064 |url=}}</ref>
Features:
*Lymphocytic infiltrate.
*Normal colorectal mucosa.
*Pushing border.<ref>AP. 18 October 2010.</ref>
*Atypical cells in the lamina propria or submucosa.
*Histomorphology:
 
**Poorly differentiated.
DDx:
**Mucinous.
*Colorectal neuroendocrine tumour.
**Signet ring.
**Medullary.<ref name=pmid18283560>{{cite journal |author=Truta B, Chen YY, Blanco AM, ''et al.'' |title=Tumor histology helps to identify Lynch syndrome among colorectal cancer patients |journal=Fam. Cancer |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=267–74 |year=2008 |pmid=18283560 |doi=10.1007/s10689-008-9186-8 |url=}}</ref>


===Syndromes===
===Images===
*''Lynch syndrome'' AKA ''[[hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome]]'' (HNPCC).
<gallery>
*''[[Familial adenomatous polyposis]]'' (FAP) or ''familial polyposis coli'' (FPC).
Image:Prostate carcinoma in rectum -- very low mag.jpg | Pca in rectum - very low mag. (WC)
Image:Prostate carcinoma in rectum -- low mag.jpg | Pca in rectum - low mag. (WC)
Image:Prostate carcinoma in rectum -- intermed mag.jpg | Pca in rectum - intermed. mag. (WC)
Image:Prostate carcinoma in rectum -- high mag.jpg | Pca in rectum - high mag. (WC)
</gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Prostate carcinoma in rectum - PSAP -- intermed mag.jpg | Pca in rectum - PSAP - intermed. mag. (WC)
Image:Prostate carcinoma in rectum - PSA -- intermed mag.jpg | Pca in rectum - PSA - intermed. mag. (WC)
Image:Prostate carcinoma in rectum - CK20 -- intermed mag.jpg | Pca in rectum - CK20 - intermed. mag. (WC)
</gallery>


==See also==
=See also=
*[[Anus]] - covers anal cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia.
*[[Anus]] - covers anal cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia.
*[[Colon]].
*[[Colon]].
*[[Gastrointestinal pathology]].
*[[Gastrointestinal pathology]].
*[[Tumour budding]].
*[[Tumour perforation in colorectal cancer]].
*[[Transanal minimally invasive surgery]].


==References==
=References=
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


[[Category:Gastrointestinal pathology]]
[[Category:Gastrointestinal pathology]]

Latest revision as of 16:50, 29 August 2018

Colorectal tumours, especially colorectal carcinomas, are very common. They are the bread and butter of GI pathology. Non-tumour colon is dealt with in the colon article.

Colonic tumours and rectal tumours redirect here.

An introduction to gastrointestinal pathology is in the gastrointestinal pathology article. The precursor lesion of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is, typically, an adenomatous polyp. Polyps are discussed in the intestinal polyps article.

Classification

Most common

Others

Other tumours - many (incomplete list):[2]

Notes:

Squamous carcinoma

  • Rare.
    • In the context of a rectal tumour, retrograde growth from the anus should be considered.

Staging of colorectal cancer

Pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma

Overview

Colorectal carcinoma is thought to arise from one of two pathways:[4][5]

  1. APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene mutation pathway, AKA classic adenoma-carcinoma pathway.
  2. Serrated pathway, AKA mutator pathway, mismatch repair pathway.

Syndromes

Both of the above described pathways are associated with syndromes:

  1. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or familial polyposis coli (FPC).
  2. Lynch syndrome (AKA hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC)).

Pathways

APC gene mutation pathway

Microscopic:

Mismatch repair pathway

Other ancillary studies

BRAF V600E mutation

Features:[6]

  • Independently associated with BRAF V600E:
    • Usually older (>70 years old).
    • Female gender.
    • Right-sided tumour location.
  • Worse prognosis - in the context of metastatic disease.

KRAS mutation

Features:[7][8]

  • Patient must have wild type KRAS to get drugs; KRAS mutation predicts resistance to cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix).

Microsatellite instability cancers

  • Abbreviated MSI cancers.

Specific entities

Colorectal adenocarcinoma

  • AKA colorectal adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified.
  • AKA colorectal carcinoma, abbreviated CRC.

Secondary colorectal cancer

General

  • Uncommon.
  • May be suspected.

Microscopic

Features:

  • Normal colorectal mucosa.
  • Atypical cells in the lamina propria or submucosa.

DDx:

  • Colorectal neuroendocrine tumour.

Images

See also

References

  1. Cotran, Ramzi S.; Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelson; Nelso Fausto; Robbins, Stanley L.; Abbas, Abul K. (2005). Robbins and Cotran pathologic basis of disease (7th ed.). St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Saunders. pp. 864. ISBN 0-7216-0187-1.
  2. Humphrey, Peter A; Dehner, Louis P; Pfeifer, John D (2008). The Washington Manual of Surgical Pathology (1st ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 198. ISBN 978-0781765275.
  3. Tozawa E, Ajioka Y, Watanabe H, et al. (2007). "Mucin expression, p53 overexpression, and peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration of advanced colorectal carcinoma with mucus component: is mucinous carcinoma a distinct histological entity?". Pathol. Res. Pract. 203 (8): 567–74. doi:10.1016/j.prp.2007.04.013. PMID 17679024.
  4. Goldstein NS (January 2006). "Serrated pathway and APC (conventional)-type colorectal polyps: molecular-morphologic correlations, genetic pathways, and implications for classification". Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 125 (1): 146–53. PMID 16483003.
  5. Rüschoff J, Aust D, Hartmann A (2007). "[Colorectal serrated adenoma: diagnostic criteria and clinical implications]" (in German). Verh Dtsch Ges Pathol 91: 119–25. PMID 18314605.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Tie J, Gibbs P, Lipton L, et al. (July 2010). "Optimizing targeted therapeutic development: Analysis of a colorectal cancer patient population with the BRAF(V600E) mutation". Int J Cancer. doi:10.1002/ijc.25555. PMID 20635392.
  7. Dunn EF, Iida M, Myers RA, et al. (October 2010). "Dasatinib sensitizes KRAS mutant colorectal tumors to cetuximab". Oncogene. doi:10.1038/onc.2010.430. PMID 20956938.
  8. Di Nicolantonio F, Martini M, Molinari F, et al. (December 2008). "Wild-type BRAF is required for response to panitumumab or cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer". J. Clin. Oncol. 26 (35): 5705–12. doi:10.1200/JCO.2008.18.0786. PMID 19001320.