Pathology of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is an excellent example of a cancer where outcome can be, and has been, improved by the cooperation of clinicians and pathologists. This article summarises the basics of the pathology of colorectal cancer, with an emphasis on practical issues in clinical practice. The histopathoiogy of colorectal cancer, staging and genetics are discussed, as are more recent developments such as the pathology of neoadjuvant therapy and colorectal cancer screening, and molecular prognostic and predictive factors in colorectal cancer.