Colorectal Carcinoma Flashcards
What is the most common cancer of the GI tract?
Colorectal carcinoma
Where is the large intestine relative to the peritoneum?
Some parts are intraperitoneal and others are retroperitoneal
What are the four layers of the wall of the large intestine?
Mucosa, submucosa, muscular layer and serosa/adventitia
What microscopic structures are found on the mucosa?
Intestinal crypts
What structures are found in the submucosa?
Neurovascular structures and lymph nodes
What type of carcinomas are most colorectal carcinomas?
Adenocarcinomas
What’s an adenocarcinoma?
?
What is the most common cause for the development of a colorectal carcinoma?
Sporadic mutations
What is a less common cause for colorectal carcinomas?
Genetic link - APC gene
What forms when colonic cells start to divide rapidly and inappropriately?
Polyps
How are adenocarcinoma related to polyps?
Adenocarcinoma are malignant versions of polyps
What are the two types of polyps?
Adenomatous and serrated
Do all polyps have the same risk of turning into adenocarcinomas?
No
How are adenomatous polyps formed?
Contain APC gene
Describe the appearance of adenomatous polyps
Look like normal colonic mucosa
