Resumen
Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed and deadly malignancies worldwide, but our understanding of why this life-threatening disease occurs is still limited. With trillions of bacteria inhabiting our intestines, especially the large intestine, where cancer most frequently develops, it is no surprise that gut microbes have been under scrutiny. One of the prime suspect microorganisms is Fusobacterium nucleatum, an oral pathogen believed to lodge in colon cancer at its initial stage and foster its progression to full malignancy. Based on a review of the available information, we propose that Fusobacterium facilitates colorectal cancer through a misguided attempt to heal the diseased mucosa gone tragically wrong. This provocative view aims at stimulating discussion and putting the healing wound-cancer analogy in the spotlight of future research on the role of gut bacteria in colon malignancy.