Original Contribution
The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2004) 99, 1779–1784; doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2004.30178.x
Management of Portuguese Patients with Hyperplastic Polyposis and Screening of At-Risk First-Degree Relatives: A Contribution for Future Guidelines Based on a Clinical Study
P Lage MD1, M Cravo MD, PhD1, R Sousa MD1, P Chaves MD, PhD1, M Salazar MD1, R Fonseca MD1, I Claro MD1, A Suspiro MD1, P Rodrigues RN, MS1, H Raposo MS1, P Fidalgo MD1 and C Nobre-Leitão MD, PhD1
1Instituto Português de Oncologia Francisco Gentil, CRL, SA, Portugal
Correspondence: Dr. Pedro Lage, MD, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Francisco Gentil, CRL, SA, Rua Prof. Lima Basto, 1099-023 Lisbon, Portugal. lage.p@vizzavi.pt
Received 7 October 2003; Revised 0000; Accepted 13 April 2004.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Hyperplastic polyposis (HP) is a rare condition characterized by the presence of multiple hyperplastic polyps in the colon, which has been associated to an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Guidelines for management of this disease remain, so far, undefined.
AIMS:
To evaluate, in symptomatic patients with HP, phenotypic characteristics as well as results of a screening program in their at-risk first-degree relatives.
PATIENTS
Pedigree information and clinical and endoscopic data of 14 patients with HP was studied. Seventeen
AND METHODS:
at-risk first-degree relatives from six families were also invited to perform screening colonoscopy.
RESULTS:
Twelve of fourteen (86%) patients had fewer than 100 colorectal polyps. Polyps' sizes ranged from 2 to 25 mm and were uniformly distributed through the whole colon in 43% of the patients. Hyperplastic polyps predominated, but 11/14 (79%) patients also harbored serrated as well as classic adenomatous polyps. CRC was present in 6/14 (43%) of the patients at the time of diagnosis. Familial history of CRC/polyps was positive in 6/12 (50%) of cases. Colonoscopy in at-risk relatives disclosed polyps in 10/17 (59%) of cases with at least one additional patient having criteria for HP.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although small, this series demonstrates that a high level of suspicion is needed to diagnose the HP syndrome, in which serrated adenomas seem to be the hallmark. Although an elevated percentage of CRC was observed in this series of symptomatic patients with HP, prospective studies in asymptomatic individuals are needed to clearly quantify the risk of CRC in patients with HP. Because familial aggregation of HP was present in 3/12 (25%) of kindreds, screening colonoscopy should be offered to first-degree relatives.
