The development of a tumor is described as a multi-stage process. What does the loss of the APC tumor suppressor gene typically lead to in the colon?
Explanation
The progression of colon cancer from a normal cell to a metastatic tumor often follows a model of sequential mutations. The loss of the APC tumor suppressor gene is a very common initiating event, which gives the cell a slight growth advantage and leads to the formation of a small, benign growth called a polyp. Further mutations are required for progression to malignancy.
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