Familial adenomatous polyposis overview

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Differentiating Familial adenomatous polyposis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

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Diagnostic Study of Choice

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Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2], Mohamad Alkateb, MBBCh [3]

Overview

The development of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is the result of multiple genetic mutationsGenes involved in the pathogenesis of familial adenomatous polyposis include APC and MUTYH genes. Many of patients have a positive family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. However, some of them have no previous family history. Familial adenomatous polyposis is associated with different malignancies including stomach cancer, periampullary cancer, pancreatic cancerhepatoblastomabile duct cancerpapillary thyroid cancer, and medulloblastomaDuodenal adenomaadrenal massesdesmoid tumorosteomas, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, epidermoid cysts, and fibromas are also associated with familial adenomatous polyposis. Familial adenomatous polyposis may be classified according to severity into three subtypes which include profuse, intermediate, and attenuated. Familial adenomatous polyposis has less severe variants, including Gardner's syndrome and Turcot syndrome. Familial adenomatous polyposis must be differentiated from other diseases that lead to the formation of multiple gastrointestinal polyps, such as Peutz–Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Carney syndrome, and hereditary non–polyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome). Familial adenomatous polyposis is a rare disease that affects individuals worldwide. The incidence and prevalence of familial adenomatous polyposis is approximately 3-20 and 12 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. Screening for familial adenomatous polyposis by genetic testing and/or colonoscopy is recommended among patients with history of multiple colonic adenomas and family history of familial adenomatous polyposis. Familial adenomatous polyposis is a rare disease that usually starts from childhood. Patients develop hundreds to thousands colon polyps till early twenties. If left untreated, almost all of them develop colorectal cancer around 40 years of age. The majority of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis are asymptomatic till the development ofcolorectal cancer. Common symptoms of familial adenomatous polyposis are gastrointestinal bleedingpain, and altered bowel habits. patients may feel fatigued after occult bleeding. Colonoscopy is considered as a gold standard for evaluating the intestine, as well as for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Tissue biopsy and polypectomy may be done during colonoscopy. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis. The preferred technique of surgery is laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis(IPAA) and mucosectomy. Effective measures for the primary prevention of familial adenomatous polyposis include genetic counseling. The most common method to detect a mutation is direct sequencing of the APC gene. All patients with familial adenomatous polyposis will develop colorectal cancer. For secondary prevention of colorectal cancer total colectomy must be done. Effective tests for the secondary prevention of other complications and associated conditions include annual pouchoscopy following surgery and annual physical examination and ultrasound.

Historical Perspective

Familial adenomatous polyposis was first described in 1726 by Menzelio. After 150 years, in 1882, familial nature of the multiple colonic polyposis was reported. Inheritancepredisposition was identified in 1925. Gardner's syndrome was first described in 1950 by Gardner and Stephens. Bussey described clinical features and natural history of familial adenomatous polyposis in 1975. In 1986, genetic abnormality was discovered by Herrera. In 1991, APC gene defect was identified as one of the causes of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Classification

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) may be classified according to the affected gene into two subtypes including FAP gene and MYH gene associated familial adenomatous polyposis. Familial adenomatous polyposis may be classified according to severity into three subtypes of profuse, intermediate, and attenuated. Familial adenomatous polyposis has less severe variants, including gardner's syndrome and turcot syndrome.

Pathophysiology

The development of familial adenomatous polyposis is the result of multiple genetic mutationsGenes involved in the pathogenesis of familial adenomatous polyposis include APC and MUTYH genes. Many of patients have a positive family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. However, some of them have no previous family history. Loss of APC gene function is believed to be the first event in pathogenesis of colon cancer leading to formation of an adenoma. Three hundred mutations of APC gene have been discovered for familial adenomatous polyposis. They have premature stop codons and lead to a truncated protein. Familial adenomatous polyposis has autosomal dominant inheritance pattern if it results from mutations in the APC gene and autosomal recessive inheritance pattern if it results from mutations in the MUTYH geneMutation is found in 6% of Ashkenazi Jews. Familial adenomatous polyposis is associated with different malignancies including stomach cancer, periampullary cancer, pancreatic cancerhepatoblastomabile duct cancerpapillary thyroid cancer, and medulloblastomaDuodenal adenomaadrenal massesdesmoid tumorosteomas, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, epidermoid cysts and fibromas are associated with familial adenomatous polyposis. On gross pathology, numerous polyps are characteristic findings of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Causes

Familial adenomatous polyposis may be caused by mutation in APC or MUTYH genes.

Differentiating Familial Adenomatous Polyposis from Other Diseases

Familial adenomatous polyposis must be differentiated from other diseases that cause multiple polyps, such as Peutz–Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Carney syndrome, and hereditary non–polyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome).

Epidemiology and Demographics

Familial adenomatous polyposis is a rare disease that affects individuals worldwide. The incidence and prevalence of familial adenomatous polyposis is approximately 3-20 and 12 per 100,000 individuals. Surgical mortality rate is approximately 4.4%. Patients in their first and second decades usually develop familial adenomatous polyposis. Familial adenomatous polyposis affects men and women equally and there is no racial predilection. Up to 100% of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis without treatment will develop colorectal cancer by age of 39.

Risk Factors

The most potent risk factor in the development of familial adenomatous polyposis is positive family history of FAP.

Screening

Screening for familial adenomatous polyposis by genetic testing and/or colonoscopy is recommended among patients with history of multiple colonic adenomas and family history of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Familial adenomatous polyposis is a rare disease that usually starts from childhood. Patients develop hundreds to thousands colon polyps till early twenties. If they left untreated, almost all of them develop colorectal cancer around 40 years of age. They might have polyps in different organs including upper gastrointestinal tract. However, their progression to malignancy is less than colon polyps. They might develop duodenal and ampullary cancer which are major causes of death following polypectomy. The prognosis of familial adenomatous polyposis is excellent with treatment.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

Familial adenomatous polyposis is mainly diagnosed based on clinical presentation and family history. Familial adenomatous polyposis must be confirmed by a sigmoidoscopy or a full colonoscopy depending on the age of the patient.

History and Symptoms

The majority of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis are asymptomatic till colorectal cancer happens. Common symptoms of familial adenomatous polyposis are gastrointestinal bleedingpain, and altered bowel habits. They might have fatigue following occult bleeding.

Physical Examination

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis usually appear normal. Physical examination of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis may have palpable abdominal mass, multiple small rectal polyps, and pallor.

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory findings that may present with familial adenomatous polyposis include anemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding and abnormal liver function tests due to colon cancer metastasis. 

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with familial adenomatous polyposis.

X-ray

Double-contrast Barium enema may be helpful in the diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis. Familial adenomatous polyposis might be presented as multiple outgrowths with lobulation or indentation and filling defects on x-rays.

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

There are no echocardiography or ultrasound findings associated with familial adenomatous polyposis.

CT scan

CT scan with contrast and CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy may be helpful in the diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis. Multiple outgrowths and filling defects are suggestive of familial adenomatous polyposis.

MRI

MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and MRI colonography are used to detect polyps.

Other Imaging Findings

Colonoscopic spectroscopy and narrow-band imaging (NBI) may be helpful in the diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Other Diagnostic Studies

Colonoscopy is considered as a gold standard for evaluating intestinediagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Tissue biopsy and polypectomy could be done during colonoscopy. Findings on a colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy suggestive of familial adenomatous polyposis include visual detection of multiple colon polypsColonoscopy has 0.02% mortality and 0.2% morbidityColonoscopy has side effects including pain, risk of perforation and bleeding.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

The mainstay of treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis is surgery. However, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sulindac and celecoxib are recommended to decrease the size and number of colon polyps.

Surgery

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis. The preferred surgery technique is laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis(IPAA) and mucosectomy. Another technique is total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis.

Primary Prevention

Effective measures for the primary prevention of familial adenomatous polyposis include genetic counseling. The most common method is direct sequencing of the APC gene.

Secondary Prevention

All patients with familial adenomatous polyposis will develop colorectal cancer. For secondary prevention of colorectal cancer total colectomy must be done. Effective tests for the secondary prevention of other complications and associated conditions include annual pouchoscopy following surgery and annual physical examination and ultrasound.

References

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