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Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent malignant tumors in the world. In Portugal, in 2003, it was ranked first in terms of mortality among the five major cancer types (lung, breast, colon, stomach and prostate). Unlike most other malignancies, it is possible to prevent colorectal cancer. This is due to the long period of time elapsed between the appearance of an adenoma (a benign epithelial tumor) and the eclosion of the carcinoma, which allows the detection and removal of the benign lesion. In this context, Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF) may have a crucial and determinant role. These are clusters of aberrant (deviant from normal) crypts (small pits, which are compartments of cells, in the colon epithelium) that are thought to be the precursors of colorectal cancer. In fact, according to endoscopic studies and animals' experiments, ACF precede the eclosion of adenomas. Thus, if this claim is proved, it means that the ACF must be considered part of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, and consequently, they should be used not only for diagnosis purposes and the stratification of the risk, but for chemopreventive studies together with pharmacology agents.
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