Background

Cancer is one of the world’s biggest health care challenges, with colorectal cancer (CRC) being one of the three most frequently encountered malignancy worldwide. The main cause of mortality associated with CRC is tumour invasion and metastasis. Pathogenesis of CRC is a multistep process, during which different molecular pathways come into play. The cardinal genomic alteration that has been found universally present in CRC is a mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC). APC mutation causes unrestricted action of the Wnt signaling pathway which subsequently enhances the intracellular accumulation of a protein called beta-catenin, responsible for cell proliferation, differentiation and enhanced survival of colorectal epithelial cells.

Aim

This study was conducted to analyze beta–catenin expression in various colorectal neoplasms, and its change with respect to different grades and stage of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Study design