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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
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Deficient Pms2, ERCC1, Ku86, CcOI in Field Defects During Progression to Colon Cancer
Published on: July 28, 2010
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The third pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis
Carlos A Rubio1, Giacomo Puppa2, Giovanni de Petris3
1Department of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|July 29, 2017
Summary
Colorectal carcinomas (CRC) rarely arise in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Most GALT carcinomas appear to develop from pre-existing adenomas or high-grade dysplasia, suggesting a conventional pathway.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Colorectal carcinomas (CRC) typically arise from columnar or goblet cells via conventional or serrated pathways.
- A less common pathway involves colorectal carcinogenesis originating in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) mucosal domain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze all documented cases of human colorectal GALT carcinomas.
- To understand the origins and precursor lesions of GALT-associated colorectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of all published cases of human colorectal GALT carcinomas.
- Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, and pathological findings.
Main Results:
- Only 23 cases of colorectal GALT carcinoma in 20 patients were identified in the literature.
- GALT carcinomas were detected via surveillance or diagnostic colonoscopy.
- Two-thirds of analyzed GALT carcinomas (10/15) were associated with underlying adenomas or high-grade dysplasia.
Conclusions:
- The rarity of GALT carcinomas may be due to the small mucosal area occupied by GALT.
- The frequent association with adenomas/dysplasia suggests a conventional neoplastic pathway precedes most GALT carcinomas.
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