The hypothesis of the association of the CD44+ CRC specificity with residual cancer disease must be rejected in view of our finding of similar median elevation in the afflicted groups (non-malignant and malignant) when compared to the healthy cohort thus, evidencing no specificity to any of the health conditions tested and ultimately, excluding the prospect of predicting malignancy by the CD44+ CRC based on quantification of the phenotype. The gene discussed is CD44; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.