Malignant risk in juvenile polyposis coli: increasing documentation in the pediatric age group

Clinical and functional characterisation of the SMAD4 germline variant c.1035C > A in a family with juvenile polyposis syndrome by whole-exome sequencing

Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease characterised by multiple juvenile polyps. Genes with JPS-associated mutations and their correlation with the phenotype are currently unknown. Gastrointestinal endoscopy results of a 31-year-old female patient showed multiple polyps in the digestive tract, and the presence of juvenile polyps was confirmed by pathological examination. During follow-up, the patient underwent total gastrectomy and polypectomy several times. Five members of this family were diagnosed with JPS, of which two died and three survived. Full exon gene sequencing of eight members of this family revealed a SMAD4 (NM-005359.3) c.1035C > A (p.Cys345*) mutation. This mutation leads to premature codon termination, causing protein truncation. SMAD4 is a pathogenic gene associated with JPS. This is the first report of an association between the c.1035C > A mutation and JPS pathogenesis. Detection of JPS-related mutations in family members with a genetic predisposition for JPS is very important for genetic counselling, surgical intervention, long-term monitoring and follow-up, and drug treatment.

Malformations, choristomas, and hamartomas of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas

Congenital and hamartomatous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract cause diagnostic challenges for surgical pathologists. Many of these are merely histologic curiosities, whereas others have substantial clinical implications because they herald cancer syndromes or associated anomalies. Although a comprehensive discussion of all developmental abnormalities that can occur in the gastrointestinal tract is beyond the scope of a single manuscript, some entities are more likely to be encountered by surgical pathologists, have important clinical consequences, or pose diagnostic difficulties. The purpose of this review is to discuss the more common malformations and choristomas, as well as hamartomatous lesions that may be clinically important due to their risk for cancer development, frequent associations with heritable cancer syndromes and other anomalies, or potential to simulate other entities.

Advanced colorectal carcinoma with testicular metastasis in an adolescent: a case report

Background

Colorectal carcinoma in the pediatric age group is rare and tends to be very aggressive and present late, due to which it has a very poor prognosis. It may present with distant metastasis; however, metastasis to the testes is very rare and signifies an advanced stage of the disease. Surgery is the only effective modality to cure patients with localized colorectal carcinomas. However, statistics show a higher incidence of unresectable disease and a higher metastasis rate in childhood colorectal carcinomas. We present a case of advanced colorectal carcinoma with testicular metastasis in an adolescent.

Case presentation

A 15-year-old Indian Hindu boy presented to surgical emergency with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. He also had a history of passing blood and mucus per rectum. On examination he had abdominal distension. On digital rectal examination, a circumferential proliferative growth was felt 1 cm above the anal verge. On scrotal examination, a small nodule was felt in his right testis. In view of intestinal obstruction, he was taken into our emergency operation theater and a diverting loop sigmoid colostomy was performed to relieve the obstruction. A punch biopsy from anorectal growth was taken which suggested signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of his chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed advanced colorectal carcinoma with distant metastasis. Ultrasonography of his testes showed a hypoechoic nodule in the right testis from which a needle aspiration biopsy was done which revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

Childhood colorectal carcinomas have a very poor prognosis due to their aggressive nature and late presentation. In spite of all the advances in diagnosis and treatments, the overall long-term survival is still dismal in these patients. Due to the rarity of this disease, screening is not recommended for individuals under the age of 50. Thus, to improve outcome, early diagnosis and treatment is paramount. For that to happen, awareness needs to be created regarding pediatric colorectal carcinoma and its signs and symptoms.

Adenomatous Polyps in Adolescent Girl and Boy: A Report of Two Cases

A polyp is defined as a mass of the mucosal surface that protrudes into the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Neoplastic epithelial polyps are classified histologically as either benign adenoma or malignant carcinoma. The colonic polyps that most commonly present in children occur sporadically and individually and are of the juvenile type; they are most frequently associated with painless rectal hemorrhage (which is the most common symptom). Adenomatous polyps are similar to other nontumoral polyps, and it is very rare for children to have symptoms other than rectal bleeding. This report describes two rare cases of polyps in pediatric patients. An 11-year-old girl presented with tubulovillous adenoma and a 13-year-old boy with tubular adenoma; both patients complained of rectal hemorrhage as well as anemia and abdominal pain. Epithelial adenoma is a tumor that is rarely found in adults or children. Colonoscopic perforation and biopsy are mandatory for establishing a definitive diagnosis and avoiding medical mismanagement.

Fifteen-year-old colon cancer patient with a 10-year history of ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is regarded as one of the risk factors for colorectal cancer, and early detection of cancer in these patients may be difficult, especially in pediatric patients. Prognosis of pediatric colorectal cancer is known to be poor, because of delayed diagnosis and unfavorable differentiation. We report a case of a pediatric patient with a 10-year history of ulcerative colitis who was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer when he was 15 years old. He underwent proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis. Postoperative pathological examination of the tumor revealed adenocarcinoma. The pericolic tissue layer was infiltrated, but metastases were not found in either of the two lymph nodes. Children with a long history of predisposing factors such as IBD need particular attention to the possibility of colorectal cancer. Early diagnosis through regular screening with colonoscopy is one of the most important critical factors for a good prognosis.

Evidence for an hMSH3 defect in familial hamartomatous polyps

BACKGROUND

Patients with hamartomatous polyposis syndromes have increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). Although progression of polyps to carcinoma is observed, pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown. The authors examined whether familial hamartomatous polyps harbor defects in DNA mismatch repair (MMR), and assayed for somatic mutation of PTEN, a gene inactivated in the germline of some hamartomatous polyposis syndrome patients.

METHODS

Ten hamartomatous polyposis syndrome patients were genotyped for germline mutations. Epithelial and nonepithelial polyp DNA were assayed for microsatellite instability (MSI) and PTEN frameshift mutation. DNA MMR and PTEN protein expression were assessed in all polyps by immunohistochemistry. In addition, 99 MSI-high sporadic CRCs and 50 each of hMLH1(-/-) and hMSH3(-/-) cell clones were examined for PTEN frameshifts.

RESULTS

Twenty-five (58%) of 43 hamartomatous polyposis syndrome polyps demonstrated dinucleotide or greater MSI in polyp epithelium, consistent with hMSH3 deficiency. MSI domains lost hMSH3 expression, and PTEN expression was lost in polyps from germline PTEN patients; sporadic hamartomatous polyps did not show any of these findings. PTEN analysis revealed wild type exon 7 and 8 sequences suggestive of nonexistent or rare events for PTEN frameshifts; however, MSI-high sporadic CRC showed 11 (11%) of 99 frameshifts within PTEN, with 4 tumors having complete loss of PTEN expression. Subcloning hMLH1(-/-) and hMSH3(-/-) cells revealed somatic PTEN frameshifts in 4% and 12% of clones, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Nondysplastic epithelium from hamartomatous polyposis syndrome polyps harbors hMSH3 defects, which may prime neoplastic transformation. Polyps from PTEN(+/-) patients lose PTEN expression, but loss is not a universal early feature of all hamartomatous polyposis syndrome. However, PTEN frameshifts can occur in hMSH3-deficient cells, suggesting that hMSH3 deficiency could drive hamartomatous polyposis syndrome tumorigenesis.

Inherited cancer syndromes in children and young adults

Geneticists estimate that 5% to 10% of all cancers diagnosed in the pediatric age range occur in children born with a genetic mutation that directly increases their lifetime risk for neoplasia. However, despite the fact that only a fraction of cancers in children occur as a result of an identified inherited predisposition, characterizing genetic mutations responsible for increased cancer risk in such syndromes has resulted in a profound understanding of relevant molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis and/or resistance to neoplasia. Importantly, because most cancer predisposition syndromes result in an increased risk of a small number of defined malignancies, personalized prophylactic surveillance and preventive measures can be implemented in affected patients. Lastly, many of the same genetic targets identified from cancer-prone families are mechanistically involved in the majority of sporadic cancers in adults and children, thereby underscoring the clinical relevance of knowledge gained from these defined syndromes and introducing novel therapeutic opportunities to the broader oncologic community. This review highlights the clinical and genetic features of many of the known constitutional genetic syndromes that predispose to malignancy in children and young adults.

Colon carcinoma in children and adolescents: prognostic factors and outcome-a review of 11 cases

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma of the colon and rectum is rare in the pediatric age group, and usually presents with an advanced stage disease bearing a poor prognosis. Colorectal carcinoma should be considered in children with signs of intestinal obstruction, alteration in bowel habits, gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic abdominal pain. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the clinical characteristics, and prognosis of these patients.

METHODS

Between 1974 and 2007, 11 patients were identified and treated for colorectal carcinoma at the Oncology Unit. The medical records were studied to analyze the age, sex, clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease (Dukes staging), treatment, histological types, and outcome.

RESULTS

There were seven boys and four girls ranging from 7 to 17 of age. Predisposing diseases and syndromes were encountered in three children, (1 with Turner's syndrome and two with adenomatous familial polyposis). Abdominal pain, acute intestinal obstruction, rectal bleeding and weight loss were the commonest symptoms. Surgical procedures were done in 11 patients (incomplete resection with segmental resection in 4 patients, complete resection in the other 4, and biopsy alone in 3 patients).The predominant histological type was mucinous carcinoma. Seven patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, all of whom did not survive. Two patients died shortly after initial surgery, and two patients are alive, and well.

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal carcinoma in children is very uncommon and could be easily misdiagnosed, resulting in advanced stage disease at diagnosis. Because radical surgery which is the mainstay of treatment is possible only in patients with early stage disease, a high level of awareness and early diagnosis are critical.

Less common colorectal cancer predisposition syndromes

A variety of syndromes confer increased risk for intestinal polyp development, outside the more commonly occurring syndromes. Each of these uncommon syndromes predispose to pathognomonic histologies that are uncommonly observed. Accurate diagnosis of these syndromes is contingent on higher-level pathology review, evaluation of signs and symptoms beyond sole consideration of the polyps, and collection of a detailed family history. When a genetic mutation can be identified in the proband, the management of intestinal and extra-intestinal cancer screening can be more appropriately tailored.

Pediatric juvenile polyposis syndromes: an update

Colon polyps are a common finding in pediatrics and can present with rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or polyp prolapse from the rectum. Histologically classified as hamartomas, these isolated pediatric polyps lack epithelial dysplasia and have no cancer risk. However, when polyps are present in greater numbers, or are associated with a family history of polyps or colon or other cancers, a polyposis or hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome should be considered. Using a case-based format, this article reviews the clinical features and provides updates on the three most common hamartomatous polyp syndromes of childhood: juvenile polyposis syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and the PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. Each syndrome has distinctive intestinal and extra-intestinal findings that, when present, can guide genetic counseling and testing. Lifelong cancer surveillance is crucial to disease prevention and the long-term health of these patients and their families.

Nonfamilial juvenile polyposis coli manifesting as massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage: report of two cases

Juvenile polyposis syndrome is an uncommon hamartomatous disorder with gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of varying degree and malignant potential. We report the cases of an 8-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl who suffered massive lower GI hemorrhage. Neither patient had a family history of polyposis. After the patients were stabilized, radiological evaluation, laparotomy, and intraoperative colonoscopy revealed multiple polyps in the colon. Both patients underwent total colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, and ileoanal anastomosis. The diagnosis of nonfamilial juvenile polyposis was based on the histological findings and the absence of a family history. To our knowledge, this presentation of juvenile polyposis has been reported only twice before. We discuss the clinical features and diagnosis of juvenile polyposis and the treatment options. Although juvenile polyposis is a rare condition in children, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of life-threatening GI hemorrhage.

Low prevalence of loss of heterozygosity and SMAD4 mutations in sporadic and familial juvenile polyposis syndrome-associated juvenile polyps

BACKGROUND

Juvenile polyps (JP) may develop sporadically or may be associated with the familial juvenile polyposis syndrome (FJPS). In FJPS, the epithelium is susceptible to dysplasia and, ultimately adenocarcinoma. However, the mechanisms involved in this transformation are unknown. Since the epithelium in colorectal carcinogenesis undergoes a stepwise genetic progression, the purpose of this study was to determine if loss of heterozygosity (LOH) abnormalities can aid in the differentiation between sporadic and FJPS-associated polyps.

DESIGN

Ninety-one routinely-processed JP from three groups of patients were evaluated for this study. Group 1 included 39 polyps from 39 patients with a single JP and no personal or family history of FJPS; group 2 consisted of 24 polyps from 15 patients with 2-5 JP and no history of FJPS; and group 3 included 29 polyps from 22 patients with > or =5 polyps either with (7) or without (15) a family history of FJPS. Epithelium from typical, atypical, and overtly dysplastic polyps, when present (2 cases in group 3 only), were evaluated separately by microdissection and PCR analysis for LOH of APC, p53, 3p, 9p, and mutations in exon 9 of the SMAD4 gene.

RESULTS

SMAD4 mutations were observed in 3 polyps from 2 patients in group 3 (10% of informative cases; p < 0.05 vs group 1), but not in any of the polyps from the other two groups. Overall, LOH of APC, p53, 3p, and 9p were detected in 1%, 15%, 10%, and 4% of JPs, but no differences were observed between the three clinical groups. Two polyps, both in group 3, with definite dysplasia did not show any genetic alterations. The morphologic appearance of the polyps was not a reliable feature in helping to differentiate sporadic from FJPS-associated polyps.

CONCLUSIONS

LOH of APC, p53, 3p, and 9p may not be involved in the carcinogenic pathway of FJPS-associated polyps. SMAD4 gene mutations show a low sensitivity but a high specificity for FJPS.

Heritable colorectal cancer syndromes: recognition and preventive management

Familial CRC syndromes account for a small yet important portion of colorectal malignancies. HNPCC, FAP, JPS, and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome are the four major conditions to r to consider if an hereditary condition is suspected in an individual with CRC. A multidisciplinary team comprised of a medical geneticist, gastroenterologist, pathologist, radiologist, and colorectal surgeon with expertise in recognizing and establishing the diagnosis of a specific familial cancer condition is crucial to implementing the proper management and prevention strategies unique to each of these syndromes. Genetic testing for each of these coniditions is available and useful for presymptomatic diagnosis and for indicated surveillance regimens. Vigilant endoscopic surveillance and careful timing of surgery are the mainstays of prevention for gastrointestinal malignancies. But with the advancement of genetic evaluation, improved cancer surveillance for intestinal as well as extraintestinal cancer, and chemopreventive strategies, the management of patients with a familial CRC syndrome will continue to evolve and, hopefully, significantly reduce their cancer burden.

Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes: genetic pathways

Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes are a group of clinically distinct but perhaps genetically related disorders in which the predominant finding is multiple hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. These syndromes are transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion to offspring, but sporadic forms do exist in which the biological parents lack an identified germline mutation. Despite the nondysplastic histologic characteristics of their polyps, each hamartomatous syndrome carries an elevated risk for cancer at specific organ sites. Several genes have been identified as mutated in the germline from these syndromes, and they provide clues to the pathogenesis of the polyps and may explain some of the elevated cancer risk. Pathways involved in the hamartomatous syndromes include those of vascular endothelial growth factor, the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, and antagonizing the effects of Akt/protein kinase B.

Hereditary intestinal cancer

Mechanisms involved in hereditary intestinal cancer are likely to play a role in sporadic tumorigenesis as well. Studies focusing on the molecular biology underlying these syndromes has contributed considerably to our knowledge on molecular bases of malignant transformation. It can be concluded, that there are two aspects to the importance of studies on intestinal cancer predisposition. First, the families suffering from cancer proneness need help which can, to some extent, be provided through molecular genetic studies. Second, the resources appointed to such research have produced scientific advances with outstanding importance to our understanding of common malignant diseases.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in infancy and childhood

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an alarming problem in children. Although many causes of GI bleeding are common to children and adults, the frequency of specific causes differs greatly, and some lesions, such as necrotizing enterocolitis or allergic colitis, are unique to children. This article reviews the spectrum of GI bleeding in infants and children. The causes, diagnostic evaluation, and management are discussed, and differences with adult medicine are highlighted.

Life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to juvenile polyposis

A 14-yr-old, previously healthy boy presented with massive lower GI hemorrhage. After the routine endoscopic and radiological evaluation, laparotomy and intraoperative colonoscopy revealed multiple polyps in the colon. A hemicolectomy was performed because of the severity of hemorrhage. A diagnosis of juvenile polyposis was made based upon histological findings and the family history. This is an extremely unusual presentation of juvenile polyposis and has been reported only once before. The clinical features, diagnosis, and therapeutic options for juvenile polyposis are discussed. Juvenile polyposis, although a rare condition in the pediatric population, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of life-threatening GI hemorrhage.

Colorectal carcinoma in children

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Colorecta I carcinoma is extremely rare in children and presents with a poor prognosis. Surgical management and long-term follow-up of this entity are still obscure because of lack of data. Therefore, a retrospective clinical trial was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of childhood colorectal carcinoma and to determine the predictors of poor outcome.

METHODS

Records of children who had colorectal carcinoma and were treated at our unit between 1972 and 1997, inclusive, were reviewed retrospectively. Information recorded for each patient included age, sex, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, treatment methods, histological types, and outcome. A modified Dukes staging scheme was used.

RESULTS

There were 12 boys and 8 girls who were treated for colorectal carcinoma (range, 7 to 16 years). Predisposing conditions were encountered in 2 patients (10%), one with Bloom's syndrome and another with familial occurrence of colonic carcinomas. Predominant symptoms were abdominal pain, vomiting, and rectal bleeding. Barium enema, ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and endoscopic procedures were used for the diagnosis. Rectosigmoid region was the most common site for the primary tumor (65%). All patients presented with advanced stages of disease (stage C, 7; stage D, 13). Surgical procedures were incisional biopsy (n = 4), palliative permanent colostomy (n = 4), segmental resection (n = 5), complete resection (n = 6), and rectal biopsy (n = 1). Peritoneum was the most common site of extensive intraabdominal disease followed by omentum majus and liver. The lung also was involved in 2 patients. Predominant histological type was mucinous adenocarcinoma (80%). All patients but one received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 2 received palliative radiotherapy. Thirteen patients died of disease in a period ranging from 1 day to 1 year after initial surgery. The fate of 4 patients who were discharged in a very ill status was unknown. Three patients were alive for 2 years to 4 years postoperatively, and one of them presented with end stage disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed diagnosis, advanced stages of disease at presentation, and, most importantly, mucinous type of histology are the major determinants of poor outcome in childhood colorectal carcinoma. We emphasize that possibility of a malignant colorectal tumor should be considered for any childhood case with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction, intractable abdominal pain, alteration in bowel habits and gastrointestinal bleeding. Colorectal malignancy should not be excluded only on the basis of the patient's age. Because of the steadily increasing incidence of precancerous bowel diseases and poor prognosis of colorectal carcinoma, childhood cases of bowel disorders should receive the same detailed and vigorous diagnostic evaluation and appropriate treatment as given to adult cases. Contrast studies, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and endoscopy are essential procedures for both confirming the diagnosis and detecting the extent of the disease.

Symptomatic colonic polyps in childhood: not so benign

BACKGROUND

The clinical spectrum of symptomatic polyps and the frequency of familial polyposis is not well defined in children. In the present study, a series of children with juvenile polyposis coli (JPC) and non-JPC polyps were studied.

METHODS

Children with symptomatic colonic polyps and negative family history of polyps were ascertained by review of endoscopic records. Juvenile polyposis coli was defined as 10 or more juvenile polyps or any juvenile polyp in a relative of an index case of JPC. Polyps were tested for Ki-ras mutations, p53 overexpression, and aneuploidy.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight children (age range, 0.4-18 years) were identified, all evaluated for lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Nine (12%) had JPC, 66 (84%) had isolated juvenile polyps, and 3 (4%) had other types of polyps. The JPC and non-JPC groups were similar in age (p = 0.4) and symptom duration (p = 0.3). The JPC group had more polyps (p = 0.0001), and greater likelihood of anemia (p = 0.01), polyps with adenomatous change (p = 0.03), and right-colon polyps (p = 0.001). In three of eight JPC families, polyps were identified in asymptomatic first-degree relatives. No abnormalities in Ki-ras, p53, or aneuploidy were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Juvenile polyposis coli is common in children with symptomatic polyps, and is associated with anemia, right-colon polyps, and adenomas. The risk of polyps and of colorectal cancer in relatives of persons with JPC requires further study.

Juvenile polyposis (coli)--high incidence of dysplastic epithelium

BACKGROUND

A juvenile polyp is a commonly seen condition in the pediatric age group as an etiological factor for rectal bleeding. The histological appearance was considered to be nonneoplastic and was distinguished from other neoplastic polyps. But this concept has been changing over the years as higher incidence of colonic and rectal adenocarcinomas are seen in patients with both familial and nonfamilial polyposis. The malignant potential was first recognized in 1980.

METHODS

With this background knowledge, the authors carried out a retrospective study of juvenile polyposis patients, who underwent full-length colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to assess the presence of dysplastic epithelium. There were eleven cases of nonfamilial juvenile polyposis (one case with foregut polyps).

RESULTS

Ten cases showed presence of dysplastic epithelium in focal areas in the juvenile polyps, mild in degree in three cases and moderate in degree in 10 cases, with focal severe degree in two.

CONCLUSION

All polyps of juvenile polyposis after polypectomy must be subjected to histopathologic examination to determine the presence of dysplastic/adenomatous epithelium.

Del(10)(q22.3q24.1) associated with juvenile polyposis

Juvenile polyps are the most frequent gastrointestinal polyps with a malignant potential for which the genetic basis is unknown. Juvenile polyps, with a normal epithelium but hypertrophic lamina propria, are histologically quite distinct from adenomatous polyps which have dysplastic changes in epithelial nuclei. Furthermore, the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene on Chr 5, mutated somatically in adenomatous polyps and mutated in the germline of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, is not linked to hereditary juvenile polyposis. We provide the first report indicating that a tumor suppressor gene associated with juvenile polyposis may be located at 10q22.3q24.1. Cytogenetic studies of a patient with juvenile polyposis and multiple congenital abnormalities of the head, extremities, and abdomen revealed a de novo interstitial deletion of Chr 10 as the only defect, del(10)(10q22.3q24.1).

Neoplasia in ileal pouch mucosa after total proctocolectomy for juvenile polyposis: report of a case

PURPOSE

Patients treated with restorative proctocolectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis or ulcerative colitis occasionally develop disease in the ileal pouch similar to that originally present in the colon. We investigated the possibility of analogous involvement in the ileal pouch of juvenile polyposis patients.

METHODS

Endoscopic surveillance for neoplasia throughout the gastrointestinal tract was performed, with retrieval of all polypectomy specimens for histologic classification using the criteria of Morson.

RESULTS

Multiple large juvenile polyps were found in the ileal pouch of one patient less than 10 years after restorative proctocolectomy for hereditary juvenile polyposis. The pouch was much more severely affected than the proximal ileum, small intestine, or stomach. Although most polyps had a completely benign histologic appearance, three had moderate to severe dysplasia.

DISCUSSION

Mucosal changes induced by bacteria or stasis of luminal contents may promote manifestation in the ileal pouch of the disease phenotype usually more evident in the colon. Patients with severe or generalized juvenile polyposis should be considered for periodic endoscopic surveillance of the ileal pouch beginning several years after restorative proctocolectomy.

Familial adenomatous polyposis in a 5 year old child: a clinical, pathological, and molecular genetic study

A girl aged 5 years 8 months presented with rectal bleeding; her father had had familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and a colectomy at the age of 23. Endoscopy showed extensive polyposis and she had a colectomy. The proband and her father had the common codon 1309 5 bp deletion APC mutation. This mutation predisposes to early onset of FAP, and consideration needs to be given to having molecular testing of at risk members of these families done in childhood.