Gross and histological abnormalities of the foregut in familial adenomatous polyposis: a study from a South East Asian Registry

Familial Gastric Cancers

Although the majority of gastric carcinomas are sporadic, approximately 10% show familial aggregation, and a hereditary cause is determined in 1%-3% cases. Of these, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer is the most recognized predisposition syndrome. Although rare, the less commonly known syndromes also confer a markedly increased risk for development of gastric cancer. Identification and characterization of these syndromes require a multidisciplinary effort involving oncologists, surgeons, genetic counselors, biologists, and pathologists. This article reviews the molecular genetics, clinical and pathologic features, surveillance guidelines, and preventive measures of common and less common hereditary gastric cancer predisposition syndromes.

Surveillance and management of upper gastrointestinal disease in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Almost all patients affected by Familial Adenomatous polyposis (FAP) will develop foregut as well as hindgut polyps, and following prophylactic colectomy duodenal cancer constitutes one of the leading causes of death in screened populations. Without prophylactic colectomy, FAP patients predictably develop colorectal cancer, but the lifetime risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer is lower, estimated at approximately 5%. Management of the upper gastrointestinal cancer risk is one of the greatest challenges facing clinicians involved in the care of Polyposis families, and with improved survival following prophylactic colectomy, the burden of foregut disease (particularly duodenal adenomatosis) will increase. Until recently, the value of upper gastrointestinal surveillance in FAP populations has been contentious, but with improved understanding of the natural history coupled with developments in surgery, interventional endoscopy and medical therapy, treatment algorithms for duodenal adenomatosis in FAP are becoming clearer.

Estado actual del seguimiento del área gastroduodenal en la poliposis adenomatosa familiar

Familiar adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disease characterized by the development of multiple adenomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and colorectal cancer in practically all patients who do not receive appropriate treatment. Although the most commonly involved region in this disease is the colorectal area, it is well known that adenomas can also develop in the upper gastrointestinal tract, mainly in the periampullary area of the duodenum. Because of the possibility of malignant transformation of these polyps, adequate monitoring is required, even though the optimal follow-up schedule has not yet been defined. In the present article, we report a case of a gastric adenocarcinoma detected during the follow-up of a patient diagnosed with FAP, as well as a review of the literature on this subject. We stress the need for early detection and appropriate management of this disease. Sufficient information is available to support the use of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with lateral vision and serial biopsies of the periampullary region in these patients. The first endoscopy in patients with FAP should be performed at the age of 20 years or at diagnosis. Subsequently, a follow-up schedule should be designed, according to the number and histological characteristics of the polyps observed.

Gastrointestinal polyposis in childhood: clinicopathologic and genetic features

Gastrointestinal polyps and certain extraintestinal lesions in children may herald a hereditary polyposis syndrome, with an increased risk of neoplasia and other health problems for both children and their relatives. The availability of molecular/genetic screening tests has increased early diagnosis of younger members of known polyposis families. This article reviews the gross and microscopic features of polyposis syndromes of childhood and summarizes the molecular/genetic advances in this field. Clinical management is also briefly discussed.

Gastroduodenal lesions in familial adenomatous polyposis

Prophylactic colectomy is generally recommended for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who are inevitably affected with large bowel cancer. After prophylactic colectomy has been performed, gastrointestinal malignancy is the leading cause of death. Duodenal adenomas are found in patients with FAP and the adenoma-carcinoma sequence exists in the FAP duodenum, suggesting that treatment of duodenal polyps might be beneficial. Several methods of treatment for duodenal lesions in patients with FAP have been reported, but the current treatment options are not ideal. The nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, sulindac and aspirin, are used for chemoprevention, while recently developed cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors may be of some use in the future. Endoscopic polypectomy has been attempted for duodenal polyps and open surgical polypectomy has proven to be effective for selected patients. Photodynamic therapy and Argon plasma coagulation may be suitable to treat carpeted polyposis. New methods of duodenal resection, such as pancreas-preserving duodenectomy and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, might be considered for severe duodenal polyposis; however, because prophylactic duodenal surgery has been considered too aggressive, surveillance duodenoscopy is usually performed to detect duodenal cancer at an early stage.

Upper gastrointestinal disease in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Upper gastrointestinal disease has become an important aspect in the management of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

METHODS

A review of the literature was carried out using Medline. Epidemiology, pathology and treatment options are considered.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Despite the fact that over 90 per cent of patients with FAP develop duodenal adenomas, only 5 per cent go on to develop cancer. In the absence of methods to detect who is at risk of cancer, all patients undergo regular endoscopic surveillance at present. Chemoprevention in the form of drug therapy may be the answer to controlling the disease.

Prospective randomized study of sulindac versus calcium and calciferol for upper gastrointestinal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis

Eighteen patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who had previously undergone colectomy but had upper gastrointestinal polyps were studied in a double-blind randomized crossover trial comparing sulindac with calcium and calciferol. Sulindac produced a reduction in the crypt proliferation index in the gastric epithelium of patients but did not significantly affect duodenal mucosa. Calcium with calciferol did not have any effects on crypt proliferation index in patients with FAP.

Gastroduodenal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Malignant degeneration of gastroduodenal polyps has been noted in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. To evaluate this problem further, patients with familial adenomatous polyposis were contacted and offered upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy.

METHODS

A prospective endoscopic examination was performed in 42 patients.

RESULTS

The median age of patients at endoscopy was 35 years. The duration of known familial adenomatous polyposis at the time of endoscopy was 8 years. Polyps were visualized in 21 patients (50%). Gastric polyps were seen in 14 patients (33%), duodenal polyps were seen in 11 patients (26%), and ampullary polyps were seen in 7 patients (17%). Nine patients (43%) had polyps in more than one site. Adenomatous change was noted in 73% of duodenal lesions and in only 14% of gastric polyps. Surgical intervention was required in four patients; one patient had an early ampullary carcinoma, and three patients had severe dysplasia involving the duodenum or ampulla. All four patients had undergone a previous screening examination, results of which were normal in three patients. Compared with other patients, these four patients were older (median age, 58 years; p = 0.02) and had a longer duration of disease (median duration, 25 years; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

All patients with familial adenomatous polyposis require lifelong endoscopic surveillance to detect malignant degeneration, which may appear later in life.