Mutations in the Kirsten ras 2 (K-ras) gene were described as early events in the process of colorectal carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to find a possible relationship between the presence of K-ras mutation in samples of primary colorectal carcinomas and the clinico-pathological data of the investigated patients. Mutation in codon 12 of the K-ras gene was determined in 18 of 53 colorectal carcinomas (34%) in our group of patients. The presence of K-ras gene mutations was not related to gender, age of subject at diagnosis, staging or cancer location (p > 0.05). Sixteen of the 42 (38%) moderately differentiated carcinomas, and two of the eight (25%) well differentiated carcinomas contained K-ras mutation in codon 12, but none of the three poorly differentiated carcinomas contained the mutation. Moderately differentiated tumours contained an aspartate code GAT (in eight cases), a valine code GTT (in six cases), an alanine code GCT (in one case) and a serine code AGT (in one case) in codon 12. Well differentiated tumours contained only the valine code GTT (two cases). Our results show that the frequency of mutations in the K-ras gene in carcinomas in Central Europe is not different from the frequencies found in other parts of the world. The homogeneous incidence of K-ras mutation does not seem to be related to ethnic factors, dietary habits, or the composition of the diet.