Study of Biomarkers in Blood & Tissue Samples From Patients With Colorectal Cancer or Polyps & Patients Without Polyps

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Meets 1 of the following criteria:

  * Diagnosis of one of the following:

    * Stage I or II colorectal cancer (CRC)\*

      * Planning to undergo surgery only
    * Stage III CRC\*

      * Planning to undergo surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with or without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
    * Stage IV CRC

      * Planning to undergo chemotherapy and biologic therapy (bevacizumab, cetuximab, or panitumumab)
    * Colorectal adenomatous polyps

      * Planning to undergo colonoscopy
  * Healthy volunteer

    * Planning to undergo colonoscopy NOTE: \*Patients with previously resected stage II or III CRC are eligible provided they undergo blood sample collection prior to starting chemotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Not pregnant
* Able to undergo an 8-hour overnight fast prior to metabolomic testing
* Able to attend follow-up or treatment visits for up to 24 months for collection of blood samples
* No prior or concurrent invasive cancer other than CRC (for patients with CRC)
* No prior invasive cancer and no first-degree relative with a known history of CRC (for healthy volunteers and patients with colorectal polyps)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* See Disease Characteristics