[Aberrant crypt foci and cancer of the colorectal junction: the correlation between beta-catenin/Ki-67 expression and the occurrence of early microscopic secondary lesions surrounding periphery colorectal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in macroscopic normal mucosa surrounding colorectal cancers (CRC); additionally, analyze tumor progression from ACF to CRC by means of beta-catenin and Ki-67 expression.

Methods: Twenty-one surgical specimens showing colorectal junction adenocarcinoma were included. Macroscopic normal mucosa proximal and distal to the primary tumor was sampled at a distance of 1 and 5 cm in both sides.