["This study set out to investigate the current understanding of Dukes' staging for colorectal cancer.", "A questionnaire was distributed to surgeons and general practitioners attending colorectal meetings asking for a definition of Dukes' stages A, B and C. Results were analysed blind by two authors jointly to assess accuracy as correct, within definition, or incorrect. Within definition was defined as a description fitting within but not covering all tumours within that stage.", "128 answers were received from 48 GPs, 7 final year medical students, 38 house officers and SHOs, 19 higher surgical trainees and 16 consultants. Overall, 3.9% defined all three stages correctly and 13.3% got all three definitions incorrect. Correct stages were Dukes' A 7.8%, Dukes' B 16.4% and Dukes' C 29.7%. Two consultants (12.5%) achieved three correct definitions, as did two HSTs (10.5%). No GPs had all three stages correct and 10 (20.8%) were wrong in all three. If those said to be within definition were considered right, 35.1% were correct for all three stages with 76.6% getting Dukes' A correct, 46.9% Dukes' B and 56.6% Dukes' C."] Is dukes ' staging poorly understood by doctors managing colorectal cancer?