Epidemiology and Molecular-Pathologic Characteristics of CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP) in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) forms a distinct epigenetic phenotype in colorectal cancer (CRC). Though associated with distinct clinicopathologic characteristics, limited evidence exists of the association of CIMP with patient's reported lifestyle factors and tumor molecular characteristics. We assessed the associations of these characteristics in a pooled analysis of CRC patients.