[The classification system of Dukes and its modification for rectal and colonic cancers]

The most common pathologic classification systems (DUKES, KIRKLIN and associates, ASTLER and COLLER) are reviewed and the respective stages are compared. Comparison reveals to be clear and simple. Subdivision of stage Dukes A carcinomas in tumors limited to the submucosa and in those invading the muscularis propria is of practical interest: tumors invading the submucosa are--histological signs of high grade of malignancy excluded--stage Dukes A carcinomas, i.e. local invasion coincides with the pathological stage. These tumors may be cured by radical local excision. In contrast tumors invading the muscularis prognostically more homogenous groups by some TNM classification. Large experience with TNM-classification is lacking.