Vanderbilt Colon and Rectal Surgery

Colorectal cancer occurs when there is a change or mutation in the genes that control cell growth and division.  Most colon cancer occurs sporadically, meaning that the change happens by chance.  In hereditary colorectal cancer a mutated gene has been passed down from one generation to the next, increasing the person's risk of developing colorectal cancer.  Some of the genes responsible for hereditary colorectal cancer have been identifed while others are still being researched.