Molecular Heterogeneity by Sidedness
Topic 8

Tumor sidedness has been shown to have a profound influence on clinical outcomes. Studies have demonstrated that left- and right-sided colon cancers differ in tumor biology, with different mutations predominating in one side or the other. Although colorectal cancers carry a continuum of molecular alterations from right to left, rather than having a sharp, clear-cut distinction, certain mutations, such as BRAF, clearly predominate in the right colon.