Short-term and long-term outcomes after preventive surgery in adolescent patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

Current management of familial adenomatous polyposis

INTRODUCTION

APC-associated polyposis is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by the development of multiple adenomas in the digestive tract. Individuals with APC-associated polyposis need to be managed by specialized multidisciplinary teams in dedicated centers.

AREAS COVERED

The study aimed to review the literature on Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) to provide an update on diagnostic and surgical management while focusing on strategies to minimize the risk of desmoid-type fibromatosis, cancer in anorectal remnant, and postoperative complications. FAP individuals require a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, surveillance, preventive surgery, and addressing specific extracolonic concerns such as duodenal and desmoid tumors. Management should be personalized considering all factors: genotype, phenotype, and personal needs. Total colectomy and ileo-rectal anastomosis have been shown to yield superior QoL results when compared to Restorative Procto colectomy and ileopouch-anal anastomosis with acceptable oncological risk of developing cancer in the rectal stump if patients rigorously adhere to lifelong endoscopic surveillance. Additionally, a low-inflammatory diet may prevent adenomas and cancer by modulating systemic and tissue inflammatory indices.

EXPERT OPINION

FAP management requires a multidisciplinary and personalized approach. Integrating genetic advances, innovative surveillance techniques, and emerging therapeutic modalities will contribute to improving outcomes and quality of life for FAP individuals.

Superior rectal artery preservation to reduce anastomotic leak rates in familial adenomatous polyposis patients treated with total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis

BACKGROUND

Total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (TC/IRA) is one of the prophylactic surgical options in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This study investigated the effectiveness of superior rectal artery (SRA) preservation during TC/IRA in reducing anastomotic leakage (AL).

METHODS

This retrospective study was based on prospectively collected data (01/2000 - 12/2022) at the National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy. FAP patients undergoing TC/IRA were enrolled. A 1:1  propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Associations between SRA preservation and complications were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The study population included 211 patients undergoing TC/IRA (Sex: 106 Male, 105 Female; Age: median 30 yrs, IQR: 20-48 yrs), 82 with SRA preservation (SRA group) and 129 without SRA preservation (controls). After PSM, 75 patients were considered for each group. SRA preservation was associated with fewer complications (OR 0.331, 95% CI 0.116; 0.942) in univariate logistic regression analysis. AL events were significantly fewer in the SRA group than in the control group (0 vs 12, p = 0.028). The SRA group had fewer overall surgical complication and pelvic sepsis rates (p = 0.020 and p = 0.028, respectively). Median operative time was significantly longer in the SRA group (340 min vs 240 min, p<0.001), and median hospital stay was significantly shorter (6 vs 7 days, p=0.017). Twenty-seven patients in the SRA group experienced intraoperative anastomotic bleeding, which was controlled endoscopically. Superimposable results were obtained analyzing the whole patient cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

SRA preservation can be considered an advantage in this patient population, despite adding a further technical step during surgery and thereby prolonging the operative time. Intraoperative endoscopic checking of possible anastomotic bleeding sites is recommended.

Quality of life after prophylactic surgery for colorectal adenomatous polyposis

PURPOSE

Colorectal adenomatous polyposis is characterized by the onset of tens to thousands of adenomas in the colorectal epithelium and, if not treated, leads to a lifetime increased risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to the general population. Thus, prophylactic surgery is recommended. This study aims to investigate the quality of life of colorectal adenomatous polyposis patients following prophylactic surgery and indirectly compares these findings with those of healthy adults of the normative sample.

METHODS

All patients who underwent prophylactic surgery for polyposis and were in follow-up at the hereditary digestive tract tumors outpatient department of our institute were eligible for the study. The Short Form-36 questionnaire and 21 ad hoc items were used at the time of clinical evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients were enrolled. For the SF-36 domains, mean values ranged from 64.18 for vitality to 88.49 for physical functioning, with the highest variability for role-physical limitations; the minimum value of functioning was reached for role-physical limitations, role-emotional limitations, and social functioning. The maximum value of functioning was reached for role-emotional limitations (73.96%) and role-physical limitations (60.42%). In total, 48.96% and 90.63% of patients reported no fecal or urinary incontinence episodes, respectively; 69.79% of patients did not have problems in work/school resumption or the personal sexual sphere.

CONCLUSION

Quality of life following prophylactic surgery for these patients seems to be good when indirectly compared to HP-normative samples'. Young adult patients appear to quickly manage and adapt to changes in bowel functioning. A minority of patients may experience social and sexual issues.

Paediatric polyposis syndromes: burden of disease and current concepts

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Polyposis syndromes are rare but significant entities that often present during childhood and adolescence. Polyposis syndromes should remain high on the differential diagnoses for any child presenting with rectal bleeding, protein-losing enteropathy or intussusception in the setting of multiple polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. There are three primary paediatric polyposis syndromes: Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS), Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). This review will cover recent guidelines for these conditions and advances in genetic testing.

RECENT FINDINGS

The first set of paediatric guidelines were released in 2019 by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) for FAP, JPS and PJS. Even with advances in genetic testing, a significant proportion of patients with polyposis syndromes have no identifiable genetic mutations. Recent research has shown that polyps behave differently in patients with and without disease-causing variants, emphasizing the role of genetic testing in the diagnosis and management of polyposis syndromes.

SUMMARY

Polyposis syndromes in the paediatric population are growing due to increased recognition and advances in genetic testing. A timely diagnosis and surveillance of a paediatric polyposis syndrome are pivotal for the management of disease burden and early identification of cancers within the gastrointestinal tract and beyond. Paediatricians, paediatric gastroenterologists, paediatric oncologists and paediatric surgeons should be familiar with the presentation and comorbidities of polyposis syndromes in children and adolescents. Further research into genotype-phenotype correlations is needed to tailor the care for paediatric patients with polyposis syndromes.

Symptomatic familial adenomatous polyposis in an adolescent: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome characterized by several adenomatous polyps of the gastrointestinal mucosa with a universal risk of colorectal cancer in a lifetime. FAP is usually asymptomatic in the first decade of life.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 13-year-old girl diagnosed with FAP who presented in our center with symptoms of hematochezia along with a positive history of the untimely demise of her father and elder sister with similar symptoms.

DISCUSSION

FAP is an autosomal dominant disease affecting both male and female equally with variable penetrance. Diagnosis is made by finding hundreds to thousands of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum, and molecular analysis of the APC gene which forms the definitive diagnosis. Prophylactic laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileorectal anastomosis is a safe and feasible surgical option with a low risk of complications among adolescents. An endoscopic/colonoscopic procedure is recommended every 6 to 12 months after surgery to assess the anastomosis site, pouch, and residual rectum.

CONCLUSION

FAP, a rare disease entity in adolescents should be managed by appropriate diagnostic procedures, early prophylactic surgery, and regular lifelong follow-up.

Gardner-associated fibroma of the neck: role of a multidisciplinary evaluation for familial adenomatous polyposis diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of multiple adenomas in the colon and rectum with a lifetime risk of 80%-100% to develop colorectal cancer if undetected or untreated. Gardner-associated fibroma (GAF) is a rare, benign soft tissue lesion with uncertain pathogenesis. GAF is generally associated with FAP in its clinical variant, called Gardner syndrome (GS).

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 16-year-old boy with no comorbidities and no significant medical history was referred to the Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumours, Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy, for genetic counselling after surgical removal of a right anterior cervical paramedian fibroma. The histopathology on the specimen led to the diagnosis of GAF. He had no family history for colorectal cancer or gastrointestinal polyposis and denied any gastrointestinal symptoms. Physical examination showed a small frontal osteoma and colonoscopy showed the presence of multiple small sessile polyps (>100 polyps, diameter <5 mm) diffusely present on the large bowel. Genetic testing revealed a pathogenic germline variant in the APC gene. The predictive genetic test on the patient's parents and sister was negative for the identified APC mutation; therefore, the patient carried an apparent de novo germline mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

GAF may represent a sentinel sign of FAP, preceding gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic findings. A careful multidisciplinary approach is determinant for correct and early diagnosis of FAP.