Molecular characteristics of colorectal cancer in a Middle Eastern population in a single institution.

Background: The few studies of the molecular biology of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Middle Eastern populations have included only small samples of patients.

Objective: Evaluate the frequency and prognostic effect of RAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, PTEN, and EGFR somatic mutations as well as mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in Lebanese Middle Eastern patients.

Design: Retrospective single-center descriptive study.