MUC5AC and colorectal cancer: The six distinct regions identified included (i) separate tumor and (ii) dysplastic zones, (iii) mucin signaling hotspots (glycoprotein-rich areas linked to specific colorectal cancer phenotypes [64]), (iv) tumor stroma, (v) cellular detritus split off from the tumor, and (vi) an external region (likely diffusion artifacts) outside the tissue (Figure 5F).