Published online Nov 15, 2015. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v6.i4.86
Peer-review started: June 4, 2015
First decision: July 6, 2015
Revised: September 2, 2015
Accepted: September 16, 2015
Article in press: September 18, 2015
Published online: November 15, 2015
Core tip: Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC), an age-related disease, occurs in 80%-85% of patients with CRC. The changes that occur at the cellular and molecular levels during ageing leading to a rise in CRC are poorly understood. We have postulated a role for cancer stem/stem-like cells that are shown to possess self-renewing, pluripotent properties. These cells, which reside at the bottom of the colonic crypt, are thought to regulate the processes of carcinogenesis. In this editorial, we have briefly described the recent work on the evolution of cancer stem cells in gastro-intestinal tract with particular reference to the colon, and how they are involved in the development and progression of CRC, the incidence of which increases with advancing age.