Overwhelming evidence derived from studies involving primary colon tumours of both hereditary and sporadic origin has implicated aberrations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumour suppressor gene and β-catenin oncogene in the pathogenesis of CRC (Kinzler & Vogelstein, 1996; Mirabelli-Primdahl et al, 1999; Miyaki et al, 1999; Samowitz et al, 1999). The gene discussed is APC; the disease is colonic neoplasm.