RATIONALE: Genetic studies may help in understanding the genetic processes involved in the development of some types of cancer. PURPOSE: Clinical trial to study the cancer-related genes in patients who have colon cancer or adenomatous polyps.

NCT00055848

Conditions

1. Colorectal Cancer

Interventions

1. Genetic: cytogenetic analysis
2. Genetic: gene mapping
3. Genetic: microarray analysis

MeSH:Colonic Neoplasms

HPO:Colon cancer Neoplasm of the colon

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: - Diagnosis of colon cancer or polyps at age 70 or under - Has a living full sibling with diagnosis of colon cancer or polyps at age 70 or under - No history of familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome - No hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, according to Amsterdam criteria - No known I1370K adenomatous polyposis of the colon susceptibility variant - Enrolled on 1 of the following clinical trials: - CLB-9581 - CLB-89803 - CLB-80001 NOTE: Patients do not need to be receiving protocol therapy. --- I1370K ---

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age - 70 and under at diagnosis Other - No significant psychiatric illness that would preclude giving informed consent - No inflammatory bowel disease (in patient or sibling) DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: - Diagnosis of colon cancer or polyps at age 70 or under - Has a living full sibling with diagnosis of colon cancer or polyps at age 70 or under - No history of familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome - No hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, according to Amsterdam criteria - No known I1370K adenomatous polyposis of the colon susceptibility variant - Enrolled on 1 of the following clinical trials: - CLB-9581 - CLB-89803 - CLB-80001 NOTE: Patients do not need to be receiving protocol therapy. --- I1370K ---