Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Previous epidemiological and molecular biological studies have suggested that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Moreover, many studies have been focused on molecular pathways of inflammation in colorectal cancer. However, the explicit mechanisms involved remain to be fully elucidated. The identification of the key inflammatory mechanisms may provide new targets for intervention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Here we reviewed the inflammatory mechanisms relevant to the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer, hoping to cast new lights on future research.