Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: a study of long-term surgical morbidity and causes of mortality

Performance of clinical risk scores and prediction models to identify pathogenic germline variants in patients with advanced prostate cancer

PURPOSE

Determining the frequency and distribution of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in Austrian prostate cancer (PCa) patients and to assess the accuracy of different clinical risk scores to correctly predict PGVs.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 313 men with advanced PCa. A comprehensive personal and family history was obtained based on predefined questionnaires. Germline DNA sequencing was performed between 2019 and 2021 irrespective of family history, metastatic or castration status or age at diagnosis. Clinical risk scores for hereditary cancer syndromes were evaluated and a PCa-specific score was developed to assess the presence of PGVs.

RESULTS

PGV presence was associated with metastasis (p = 0.047) and castration resistance (p = 0.011), but not with personal cancer history or with relatives with any type of cancer. Clinical risk scores (Manchester score, PREMM5 score, Amsterdam II criteria or Johns Hopkins criteria) showed low sensitivities (3.3-20%) for assessing the probability of PGV presence. A score specifically designed for PCa patients stratifying patients into low- or high-risk regarding PGV probability, correctly classified all PGV carriers as high-risk, whereas a third of PCa patients without PGVs was classified as low risk of the presence of PGVs.

CONCLUSION

Application of common clinical risk scores based on family history are not suitable to identify PCa patients with high PGV probabilities. A PCa-specific score stratified PCa patients into low- or high-risk of PGV presence with sufficient accuracy, and germline DNA sequencing may be omitted in patients with a low score. Further studies are needed to evaluate the score.

Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm after bevacizumab therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: Two case reports

Pseudoaneurysms are extremely rare in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab in the first-line setting. We herein present two rare cases of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm developing in patients with mCRC after administration of FOLFIRI and bevacizumab. The first patient was a 57-year-old man who was admitted to our institution with intermittent massive bloody discharge following treatment with the 9th cycle of FOLFIRI combined with bevacizumab. Colonoscopic examination revealed sizeable bloody clots in the rectum, but no active bleeder was identified; however, the patient's hemoglobin level was found to be persistently decreased, so an angiography was performed. The angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm with contrast extravasation from a branch of the left internal iliac artery. Embolization of the bleeding vessel was performed, and the post-embolization angiography revealed no active bleeding. The second patient was a 65-year-old man who observed blood in the stool following treatment with the 5th cycle of FOLFIRI combined with bevacizumab. The angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the superior rectal artery, and intravascular embolization with coils was performed. The patient was discharged without any signs of recurrent bleeding. Following a review of the relevant English literature, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the formation of a bevacizumab-related pseudoaneurysms in mCRC patients. The aim of this study was to alert clinicians to the possibility of this rare complication.

High risk factors of pancreatic carcinoma

Over the past decades, cancer has become one of the toughest challenges for health professionals. The epidemiologists are increasingly directing their research efforts on various malignant tumor worldwide. Of note, incidence of cancers is on the rise more quickly in developed countries. Indeed, great endeavors have to be made in the control of the life-threatening disease. As we know it, pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant disease with the worst prognosis. While little is known about the etiology of the PC and measures to prevent the condition, so far, a number of risk factors have been identified. Genetic factors, pre-malignant lesions, predisposing diseases and exogenous factors have been found to be linked to PC. Genetic susceptibility was observed in 10% of PC cases, including inherited PC syndromes and familial PC. However, in the remaining 90%, their PC might be caused by genetic factors in combination with environmental factors. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism of the two kinds of factors, endogenous and exogenous, working together to cause PC remains poorly understood. The fact that most pancreatic neoplasms are diagnosed at an incurable stage of the disease highlights the need to identify risk factors and to understand their contribution to carcinogenesis. This article reviews the high risk factors contributing to the development of PC, to provide information for clinicians and epidemiologists.

ACG clinical guideline: Genetic testing and management of hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes

This guideline presents recommendations for the management of patients with hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes. The initial assessment is the collection of a family history of cancers and premalignant gastrointestinal conditions and should provide enough information to develop a preliminary determination of the risk of a familial predisposition to cancer. Age at diagnosis and lineage (maternal and/or paternal) should be documented for all diagnoses, especially in first- and second-degree relatives. When indicated, genetic testing for a germline mutation should be done on the most informative candidate(s) identified through the family history evaluation and/or tumor analysis to confirm a diagnosis and allow for predictive testing of at-risk relatives. Genetic testing should be conducted in the context of pre- and post-test genetic counseling to ensure the patient's informed decision making. Patients who meet clinical criteria for a syndrome as well as those with identified pathogenic germline mutations should receive appropriate surveillance measures in order to minimize their overall risk of developing syndrome-specific cancers. This guideline specifically discusses genetic testing and management of Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP), MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP), Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, Cowden syndrome, serrated (hyperplastic) polyposis syndrome, hereditary pancreatic cancer, and hereditary gastric cancer.

Rectal carcinoma in a young female patient with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: a case report

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of rectal cancer in a patient with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS).

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

A 20-year-old woman with intermittent bloody stool of 4 months was admitted for examination. Gastroendoscopy revealed multiple polyps involving the stomach, small intestine, colon and a rectal adenocarcinoma. A diagnosis of PJS was made based on intestinal polyps with characteristic pathology and melanotic macules on the lips. After surgery and chemotherapy upon follow-up at 8 months, the patient did not have any signs of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This case showed that rectal carcinoma should be considered for young patients with PJS.

Findings from the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome registry of uruguay

Background

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is characterized by intestinal polyposis, mucocutaneous pigmentation and an increased cancer risk, usually caused by mutations of the STK11 gene. This study collected epidemiological, clinical and genetic data from all Uruguayan PJS patients.

Methods

Clinical data were obtained from public and private medical centers and updated annually. Sequencing of the STK11 gene in one member of each family was performed.

Results and discussion

25 cases in 11 unrelated families were registered (15 males, 10 females). The average age of diagnosis and death was 18 and 41 years respectively. All patients had characteristic PJS pigmentation and gastrointestinal polyps. 72% required urgent surgery due to intestinal obstruction. 3 families had multiple cases of seizure disorder, representing 20% of cases. 28% developed cancer and two patients had more than one cancer. An STK11 mutation was found in 8 of the 9 families analyzed. A unique M136K missense mutation was noted in one family. Comparing annual live births and PJS birth records from 1970 to 2009 yielded an incidence of 1 in 155,000.

Conclusion

The Uruguayan Registry for Peutz-Jeghers patients showed a high chance of emergent surgery, epilepsy, cancer and shortened life expectancy. The M136K missense mutation is a newly reported STK 11 mutation.

Familial colon cancer syndromes: an update of a rapidly evolving field

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Up to 30 % of CRCs have evidence of a familial component, and about 5 % are thought to be due to well-characterized inherited mutations. This review will focus on recent developments in the understanding of the individual hereditary CRC syndromes, including Lynch syndrome, familial CRC type X, familial adenomatous polyposis, MutYH-associated polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, PTEN hamartomatous syndrome, and serrated polyposis syndrome. Advances within the area of hereditary colon cancer syndromes paint a picture of a rapidly moving, rapidly maturing, and increasingly collaborative field with many opportunities for ongoing research and development.

Case studies in the diagnosis and management of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by melanotic macules, gastrointestinal polyps and increased cancer risks. We discuss several common scenarios encountered in the diagnosis and management of PJS patients. If the diagnosis is unclear, all pathological material should be re-evaluated by an expert gastrointestinal pathologist. The PJS discussion email list-serve (patient managed) and the peutz-jeghers.com, geneclinics.org, stk11.com websites are useful resources for patients. Cancer surveillance is accepted as a method to increase survival for PJS patients, thus all PJS patients should be prescribed an individualized surveillance plan based on personal and family history as well as available health care resources while taking into consideration the preferences of the patient. Several recent incremental improvements in PJS care have been made including the use of magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and double balloon endoscopy (DBE). MRE combines cancer and small intestinal polyp surveillance, which previously had required two or more separate tests. How and when to perform pancreatic cancer surveillance continues to be an unclear area in the management of PJS patients. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is probably the most sensitive investigation for pancreatic cancer detection at an early stage when cure may be possible. However, EUS is limited by variability and false positive results. Female patients with PJS are at risk for two rare cancers that require regular surveillance, adenoma malignum and ovarian sex cord tumors with annular tubules.