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, intramucosal rectal adenocarcinoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma in situ 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.