Intramucosal colorectal carcinoma

Intramucosal colorectal carcinoma is a confusing term for high grade (colorectal) dysplasia that should be avoided.

Intramucosal rectal carcinoma, intramucosal colonic carcinoma, intramucosal colonic adenocarcinoma and intramucosal rectal adenocarcinoma redirect here.

Background

• Colorectal adenocarcinoma is defined by invasion into the submucosa.
  • This is different than elsewhere in the GI tract, where cancer is defined by invasion through the basement membrane, i.e. into the lamina propria.
  • Rationale: atypical (cancer-like) cells in lamina propria do not have metastatic potential as there are no lymphatics in the colorectal lamina propria.

See also

• Colorectal adenocarcinoma.
• Traditional adenoma.
• Intramucosal carcinoma.
• Colorectal cancer staging.