ABSTRACT
Histopathological examination of biopsy and surgical specimens plays an important role in the clinical management of patients with colorectal cancer. In order to establish a final diagnosis in endoscopically suspected cancer, histological examination of small biopsy specimens is indispensable. To verify the nature of a polyp, histological examination of the endoscopic resection specimen is important. When a carcinoma is found in a polyp, the depth of invasion and the status of the resection margins will also indicate whether or not additional treatment might be necessary. Examination of surgical resection specimens of colorectal carcinoma is performed in order to verify the diagnosis, determine the stage and grade of the tumour, and establish the lymph node status and the completeness of the resection. It is the purpose of this chapter to briefly review the pathological procedures concerning the work-up of a resection specimen and to discuss in depth which pathological parameters play a role in clinical decision making and to what extent this may change in the (near) future.
