Rectal and pouch recurrences after surgical treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis

Endoscopic management of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis after prophylactic colectomy or restorative proctocolectomy - systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) develop early colorectal adenomas and if left untreated, progression to cancer is an inevitable event. Prophylactic surgery does not prevent further development of cancer in the rectal remnant, rectal cuff in patients with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) and even on the ileal mucosa of the pouch body. The aim of this review is to assess long-term rates of cancer and adenoma development in patients with FAP after prophylactic surgery and to summarise current recommendations for endoscopic management and surveillance of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search of studies from January 1946 through to June 2023 was conducted using the PRISMA checklist. The electronic database PubMed was searched.

RESULTS

Fifty-four papers involving 5010 patients were reviewed. Cancer rate in the rectal remnant was 8.8-16.7% in the western population and 37% in the eastern population. The cumulative risk of cancer 30 years after surgery was 24%. Mortality due to cancer in the rectal remnant is 1.1-11.1% with a 5-year survival rate of 55%. The adenoma rate after primary IPAA was 9.4-85% with a cumulative risk of 85% 20 years after surgery and a cumulative risk of 12% for advanced adenomas 10 years after surgery. Cumulative risk for adenomas after ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) was 85% after 5 and 100% after 10 years. Adenomas developed more frequently after stapled (33.9-57%) compared to hand-sewn (0-33%) anastomosis. We identified reports of 45 cancers in patients after IPAA of which 30 were in the pouch body and 15 in the rectal cuff or at the anastomosis.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant incidence of cancer and adenomas in the rectal remnant and ileal pouch of FAP patients during the long-term follow-up. Regular endoscopic surveillance is recommended, not only in IRA patients, but also in pouch patients after proctocolectomy.

An Unsuspecting Case of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited and rare disease that typically manifests in the second decade of life. FAP presents as an asymptomatic disease state in its early stages, which affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, making it difficult to diagnose. The disease is characterized by numerous adenomatous polyps in the colon or rectum. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutation allows for the unchecked growth of polyps and provides the path for cancerous proliferation. In FAP, APC mutation inheritance has a moderate preponderance for paternal origin. A family history of FAP is an indicator to start early screening in patients, especially those with a paternal family history of the disease. We present a 21-year-old male patient who presented to the clinic with normal hemoglobin, heme-positive stools, and no family history of FAP or colon cancer. The initial assessment and plan was an endoscopy to look for upper and lower GI causes, but if negative, a further hematologic workup would be required. This case highlighted the need for thorough follow-up and workup of occult GI bleed. Clinical suspicion for FAP should be kept in mind, especially in young patients without a family history and unexplained heme-positive stool. Other findings that could suggest FAP include a personal or family history of extra-colonic manifestations such as fibromas, osteomas, or dentition abnormalities.

Long-term prognosis of familial adenomatous polyposis with or without mucosectomy

PURPOSE

This study primarily aimed to compare the long-term prognosis of patients who underwent total colectomy/proctocolectomy with or without mucosectomy to the dentate line for the diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

METHODS

Patients who underwent total colectomy/proctocolectomy for FAP between January 1979 and December 2020 and were followed up at Hamamatsu University Hospital were included in this study. Those who underwent total proctocolectomy with hand-sewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis were defined as the mucosectomy group. Those who underwent total colectomy or total proctocolectomy using the stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis approach were defined as the no mucosectomy group.

RESULTS

A total of 61 individuals (37 families) were diagnosed during the surveillance period (median, 191 months). Between the mucosectomy (n = 24) and no mucosectomy groups (n = 34), metachronous rectal cancer was significantly more common in the no mucosectomy group (21% in no mucosectomy vs. 0% in mucosectomy, P = 0.02). Overall survival in the no mucosectomy group was worse than that in the mucosectomy group (84.5% in no mucosectomy vs. 100% in mucosectomy at 120 months, 81.1% vs. 90.0% at 240 months, 50.6% vs. 75.0% at 360 months, P = 0.09). Cox regression analysis revealed an independent effect of not performing mucosectomy on overall survival (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Long-term surveillance revealed that colectomy or total proctocolectomy without mucosectomy had a negative impact on the overall survival of patients with FAP. Therefore, we recommend total proctocolectomy with mucosectomy, i.e., hand-sewn ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, for FAP.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Cancer in the Anal Transitional Zone and Ileal Pouch following Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the intervention of choice for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis requiring surgery. One of the long-term complications is pouch cancer, having a poor prognosis. The risk of high-grade dysplasia and cancer in the anal transitional zone and ileal pouch after 20 years is estimated to be 2 to 4.5% and 3 to 10% in ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis, respectively. The risk factors for ulcerative colitis are the presence of pre-operative dysplasia or cancer, disease duration > 10 years and severe villous atrophy. For familial polyposis, the risk factors are the number of pre-operative polyps > 1000, surgery with stapled anastomosis and the duration of follow-up. In the case of ulcerative colitis, a pouchoscopy should be performed annually if one of the following is present: dysplasia and cancer at surgery, primary sclerosing cholangitis, villous atrophy and active pouchitis (every 5 years without any of these factors). In the case of familial polyposis, endoscopy is recommended every year including chromoendoscopy. Even if anal transitional zone and ileal pouch cancers seldom occur following proctectomy for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis, the high mortality rate associated with this complication warrants endoscopic monitoring.

Prevalence and Management of Cancer of the Rectal Stump after Total Colectomy and Rectal Sparing in Patients with Familial Polyposis: Results from a Registry-Based Study

BACKGROUND

The balance between quality of life and colorectal cancer risk in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients is of primary importance. A cut-off of less than 30 polyps under 1 cm of diameter in the rectum has been used as an indication for performing ileo-rectal anastomosis (IRA) in terms of lower rectal cancer risk. This study aimed to assess clinical and surgical features of FAP patients who developed cancer of the rectal stump.

METHODS

This retrospective study included all FAP patients who underwent total colectomy/IRA from 1977 to 2021 and developed subsequent rectal cancer. Patients' features were reported using descriptive statistics by considering the overall case series and within pre-specified classes of age (<20, 20-30, and >30 years) at first surgery.

RESULTS

Among the 715 FAP patients, 47 (6.57%, 95% confidence interval: 4.87; 8.65) developed cancer in the rectal stump during follow-up. In total, 57.45% of the population were male and 38.30% were proband. The median interval between surgery and the occurrence of rectal cancer was 13 years. This interval was wider in the youngest group (p-value: 0.012) than the oldest ones. Twelve patients (25.53%) received an endoscopic or minimally invasive resection. Amongst them, 61.70% were Dukes stage A cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a definite risk of rectal cancer after total colectomy/IRA; however, the time interval from the index procedure to cancer developing is long. Minimally invasive and endoscopic treatments should be the procedures of choice in patients with early stage cancers.

Surgical Technique and Considerations about Transanal Transection and Single-Stapled (TTSS) Anastomosis: The Search for a Perfect Anastomosis

The evaluation of preventive measures and risk factors for anastomotic leakage has been a constant concern among colorectal surgeons. In this context, the description of a new way to perform a colorectal, coloanal or ileoanal anastomosis, known as transanal transection and single-stapled (TTSS) anastomosis, deserves an appreciation of its qualities, and a discussion about its properties and technical details. In the present paper, the authors review the most recent efforts aiming to reduce anastomotic dehiscence, and describe the TTSS technique in a patient submitted to laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis. Surgical perception raises important advantages such as distal rectal transection under visualization, elimination of double-stapling lines (with cost-effectiveness and potential protection against suture dehiscence), elimination of dog ears, and the opportunity to be accomplished via a transanal approach after open, laparoscopic, or robotic colorectal resections. Future studies to confirm these supposed advantages are needed.

Diagnosis and classification of ileal pouch disorders: consensus guidelines from the International Ileal Pouch Consortium

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is an option for most patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis who require colectomy. Although the construction of an ileal pouch substantially improves patients' health-related quality of life, the surgery is, directly or indirectly, associated with various structural, inflammatory, and functional adverse sequelae. Furthermore, the surgical procedure does not completely abolish the risk for neoplasia. Patients with ileal pouches often present with extraintestinal, systemic inflammatory conditions. The International Ileal Pouch Consortium was established to create this consensus document on the diagnosis and classification of ileal pouch disorders using available evidence and the panellists' expertise. In a given individual, the condition of the pouch can change over time. Therefore, close monitoring of the activity and progression of the disease is essential to make accurate modifications in the diagnosis and classification in a timely manner.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on the role of endoscopy in familial adenomatous polyposis syndromes

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome is a complex entity, which includes FAP, attenuated FAP, and MUTYH-associated polyposis. These patients are at significant risk for colorectal cancer and carry additional risks for extracolonic malignancies. In this guideline, we reviewed the most recent literature to formulate recommendations on the role of endoscopy in this patient population. Relevant clinical questions were how to identify high-risk individuals warranting genetic testing, when to start screening examinations, what are appropriate surveillance intervals, how to identify endoscopically high-risk features, and what is the role of chemoprevention. A systematic literature search from 2005 to 2018 was performed, in addition to the inclusion of seminal historical studies. Most studies were from worldwide registries, which have compiled years of data regarding the natural history and cancer risks in this cohort. Given that most studies were retrospective, recommendations were based on epidemiologic data and expert opinion. Management of colorectal polyps in FAP has not changed much in recent years, as colectomy in FAP is the standard of care. What is new, however, is the developing body of literature on the role of endoscopy in managing upper GI and small-bowel polyposis, as patients are living longer and improved endoscopic technologies have emerged.

A Decision Analysis for Rectal-Sparing Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Total Colectomy With Ileorectal Anastomosis Versus Proctocolectomy With IPAA

BACKGROUND

There are different approaches for the surgical management of rectal-sparing familial adenomatous polyposis with variable impacts on both quality of life and survival.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to quantify the trade-offs between total proctocolectomy with IPAA versus total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis using decision analysis.

DESIGN

We created a disease simulation Markov model to simulate the clinical events after IPAA and ileorectal anastomosis for rectal-sparing familial adenomatous polyposis in a cohort of individuals at the age 30 years. We used available literature to obtain different transition probabilities and health-states utilities. The output parameters were quality-adjusted life-years and life-years. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

SETTINGS

A decision analysis using a Markov model was conducted at a single center.

PATIENTS

Patients with rectal-sparing familial adenomatous polyposis at age 30 years were included. Rectal-sparing familial adenomatous polyposis is defined as the presence of 0 to 20 polyps that can be removed endoscopically.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quality-adjusted life-years were measured.

RESULTS

Our model showed that the mean quality-adjusted life-years for IPAA was 25.12 and for ileorectal anastomosis was 27.12 in base-case analysis. Mean life-years for IPAA were 28.81 and 28.28 for ileorectal anastomosis. A 1-way sensitivity analysis was performed for all of the parameters in the model. None of the deterministic sensitivity analyses changed the model results across the range of plausible values. Probabilistic analysis identified that, in 86.9% of scenarios, ileorectal anastomosis had improved quality-adjusted life-years compared with IPAA.

LIMITATIONS

The study was limited by characteristics inherent to modeling studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Ileorectal anastomosis was found to be preferable for patients with rectal-sparing familial adenomatous polyposis when quality of life is taken into consideration. This model was robust based on both deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. These data should be taken into consideration when counseling patients regarding a surgical approach in rectal-sparing familial adenomatous polyposis. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A715.

Risk of cancer in the rectal remnant after ileorectal anastomosis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: single center experience

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of cancer in the rectal remnant in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis after ileorectal anastomosis.

METHODS

Cumulative incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of cancer in the rectal remnant were retrospectively investigated in 27 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis who had undergone ileorectal anastomosis.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period ranging from 3.0 to 35.0 years (median, 21.1 years), cancer in the rectal remnant developed in 10 patients. Cumulative risk of cancer in the rectal remnant 30 years after surgery was 57%. Five patients had metastases and three patients died of cancer in the rectal remnant after proctectomy. There was a trend towards a higher incidence of cancer in the rectal remnant in patients with small-intestinal adenoma and congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium. Multivariate analysis revealed that the ocular lesion was an independent risk factor associated with cancer in the rectal remnant.

CONCLUSION

Subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis does not seem to be an appropriate prophylactic surgery in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

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.

Surgical treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis: Dilemmas and current recommendations

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome characterized by multiple adenomatous polyps (predisposing to colorectal cancer development) and numerous extracolonic manifestations. The underlying genetic burden generates variable clinical features that may influence operative management. As a precancerous hereditary condition, the rationale of performing a prophylactic surgery is a mainstay of FAP management. The purpose of the present paper is to bring up many controversial aspects regarding surgical treatment for FAP, and to discuss the results and perspectives of the operative choices and approaches. Preferably, the decision-making process should not be limited to the conventional confrontation of pros and cons of ileorectal anastomosis or restorative proctocolectomy. A wide discussion with the patient may evaluate issues such as age, genotype, family history, sphincter function, the presence or risk of desmoid disease, potential complications of each procedure and chances of postoperative surveillance. Therefore, the definition of the best moment and the choice of appropriate procedure constitute an individual decision that must take into consideration patient’s preferences and full information about the complex nature of the disease. All these facts reinforce the idea that FAP patients should be managed by experienced surgeons working in specialized centers to achieve the best immediate and long-term results.

Prevalence and risk factors for adenomas in the ileal pouch and the afferent loop after restorative proctocolectomy for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the treatment of choice in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) to prevent the risk of colorectal cancer. However, it currently is recognized that adenomas may develop in the ileal pouch. The risk of adenoma occurring in the afferent ileal loop above the pouch is less clearly identified. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in prevalence of adenomas between the ileal pouch and the afferent ileum after IPAA in FAP.

METHODS

The study analyzed 442 endoscopies performed between 2003 and 2008 for 139 FAP patients. The patients had undergone an IPAA in 118 cases, an ileorectal anastomosis in 13 cases, or an ileostomy in 8 cases.

RESULTS

Among the 118 IPAA patients, 57 (48.3 %) had pouch adenomas a median of 15 years after surgery. The risk factors for pouch adenomas were delay since pouch construction [odds ratio (OR), 1.11; p = 0.016] and presence of advanced duodenal adenomas (OR, 4.35; p = 0.011). Seven patients had pouch adenomas with high-grade dysplasia. Only nine patients had afferent ileal loop adenomas (6.5 %). The only significant risk factor for ileal adenomas was the presence of pouch adenomas (OR, 2.16; p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

After restorative proctocolectomy in FAP, adenoma recurrence is frequent in the pouch, with a higher risk for patients with advanced duodenal adenomas and an increasing risk over time, whereas adenomas are rarely found in the afferent ileal loop. This finding may help to propose redo ileal pouch anal anastomosis if required.

Adenocarcinomas After Prophylactic Surgery For Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

The incidence of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is one in 7,000 to 12,000 live births. Virtually, all surgically untreated patients with FAP inevitably develop colorectal-cancer in their lifetime because they carry the adenomatous polyposis coli gene. Thus prophylactic proctocolectomy is indicated. Surgical treatment of FAP is still controversial. There are however, four surgical options: ileorectal anastomosis, restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, proctocolectomy with ileostomy, and proctocolectomy with continent-ileostomy. Conventional proctocolectomy options largely lie between colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Detractors of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis prefer ileorectal anastomosis because of better functional results and quality of life. The functional outcome of total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis is undoubtedly far superior to that of the ileoanal pouch; however, the risk for rectal cancer is increased by 30%. Even after mucosectomy, inadvertent small mucosal residual islands remain. These residual islands carry the potential for the development of subsequent malignancy. We reviewed the literature (1975-2012) on the incidence, nature, and possible etiology of subsequent ileal-pouch and anal transit zone adenocarcinoma after prophylactic surgery procedure for FAP. To date there are 24 studies reporting 92 pouch-related cancers; 15 case reports, 4 prospective and 5 retrospective studies. Twenty three of 92 cancers (25%) developed in the pouch mucosa and 69 (75%) in anal transit zone (ATZ). Current recommendation for pouch surveillance and treatment are presented. Data suggest lifetime surveillance of these patients.

Surgical outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal resections for familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Acceptance of extended laparoscopic colon resections is still controversial besides the growing experience over the years.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal resections exclusively for familial adenomatous polyposis patients.

METHODS

Patient data, surgical procedures and operative outcomes from 49 patients submitted to total proctocolectomy (TPC) or total abdominal colectomy (TAC) from 1997 to 2009 were prospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 18 (36.7%) men and 31 (63.3%) women, with a median age of 31.1 years. Surgical procedures consisted of 3 TPC with ileostomy (6.1%), 30 restorative TPC with ileoanal anastomosis (61.2%), and 16 TAC with ileorectal anastomosis (32.6%). Only 1 patient (2.0%) required open conversion. No patient required blood transfusion. Median operating time was 289, ranging from 150 to 400 minutes. Twelve patients (24.5%) presented complications and only 1 (2.0%) died. Overall complication rates were similar after TAC or TPC (31.2% vs. 21.2%; P=0.4). Reoperations were necessary in 7 cases (14.3%), and the median length of hospital stay was 6.2 days (3 to 16). The comparison of 2 consecutive groups of patients over time revealed a little improvement in surgery duration (301 to 276 min; P=0.16), but relevant reduction in morbidity (32% vs. 16.6%; P=0.2) and reoperation rates (20% vs. 8.3%; P=0.4), besides the absence of statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic TPC and TAC represent an interesting alternative approach for young and motivated familial adenomatous polyposis patients. When performed by experienced surgeons, they provide excellent short-term outcome regarding immediate recovery, morbidity, and cosmesis.

Clinical cancer genetics: Part I: Gastrointestinal

There is an increasing recognition of the importance of genetic and familial cancer syndromes in routine clinical practice. Although most of gastrointestinal cancers are sporadic, a number of important cancer predisposition syndromes are now recognized and well characterized. In this review, we discuss some of the basic principles of clinical cancer genetics and clinically relevant aspects of the more common gastrointestinal cancer syndromes from the perspective of practicing radiation oncologists.

Laparoscopic colectomy and restorative proctocolectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a dominantly inherited syndrome. Risk of cancer begins to increase after age 20 years if not treated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and short- and long-term outcomes after laparoscopic prophylactic surgery for FAP.

METHODS

Fifty-five patients with FAP were identified through the Hereditary Colorectal Tumor Registry from 2003 to 2009. Patients with laparoscopic total colectomy (TC)/IRA or proctocolectomy (TPC)/ileal pouch-anal anastomosis IPAA were included. Patients with previous colon or abdominal major surgery, malignancy, and desmoids before surgery were excluded. Main outcomes were: 30 days anastomotic leak and pouch failure; long-term desmoids and malignant recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 55 patients, 32 were men, median age was 28 years, and mean body mass index was 23. Median follow-up time was 36 (range, 5-77) months. Forty-four patients had laparoscopic TC/IRA and ten had laparoscopic TPC/IPAA. One patient was converted to open surgery and received an open TPC/IPAA. Incision length was 7 (range, 5-14) cm. Anastomotic leak was 3 (5.4%: 2 laparoscopic and 1 open), and pouch failure was 0. Median postsurgical length of stay was 7 (range, 4-24) days. Desmoids occurred in three patients (5.4%), and there was no malignant recurrence within the follow-up period. Pathology revealed severe dysplasia in ten patients and adenocarcinoma in nine (8 laparoscopic and 1 open). Long-term small-bowel obstruction was 2 (3.6%). One mortality due to liver metastases occurred at 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic prophylactic treatment of FAP appears to be safe and feasible and may be an appealing alternative to open surgery. If the goal of prophylactic FAP surgery is to avoid cancer occurrence, laparoscopic surgery could be an important advancement.

Evaluating causes of death in familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Familial adenomatous polyposis is a genetic syndrome associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and different extracolonic manifestations.

GOALS

The goal of this study is to evaluate the frequency of death causes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Charts from 97 patients treated from 1977 to 2008 were reviewed. Retrieved data and family information allowed us to classify causes of death in those related to CCR to other malignancies or other causes.

RESULTS

There were analyzed data from 46 men (47.4%) and 51 women (52.6%) with an average age of 35.1 years (14 to 82). At diagnosis, 57 patients (58.7%) already had CRC-associated polyposis. There were performed 93 colectomies, one internal diversion, and one partial resection. Two patients were not operated on. Results from 19 deceased patients (19.5%) were analyzed. CRC, other tumors (desmoid tumors, lymphoma, and gastric cancer), and other causes (complication of duodenal cancer surgery, complication after ileorectal anastomosis (IRA), and coronary disease) were responsible for 12 (63.1%), four (21.1%), and three (15.8%) of all deaths, respectively. Death from CRC occurred in the context of either systemic, rectal, or pouch recurrence. Desmoid disease was the second cause of death (10.5% of all causes), leading to a fatal outcome 22% of all patients who developed DT during the study period. Upper digestive carcinomas were responsible for other two death cases.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) CRC is still the most prevalent cause of death; (2) even after curative resections, CRC can cause death through rectal or pouch malignization; (3) long-term survival was also strongly related to the development of extracolonic neoplasia, especially desmoid tumors and gastroduodenal carcinoma; (4) our results raise the need for local improvement in familiar screening and help us to define follow-up strategies and patient-information standards.

[Colorectal cancer in familial adenomatous polyposis: Are there clinical predictive factors?]

BACKGROUND

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disorder with multiple colorectal polyps that exhibit an almost inevitable risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in untreated patients.

GOALS

To evaluate clinical features related to CRC risk at diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Charts from 88 patients were reviewed to collect information regarding age, family history, symptoms, polyposis severity and association with CRC.

RESULTS

41 men (46.6%) and 47 women (53.4%) were assisted. CRC was detected in 53 patients (60.2%), with a frequency of 9.1% under 20 years, 58% between 21-40 and 85% over 41 years of age. Average age of patients without CRC was lower at treatment (29.5 vs. 40.0 years; p=0.001). Family history was reported by 58 patients (65.9%), whose average age did not differ from those who didn't report it (33.4 vs. 34.4; p=0.17). Asymptomatic patients comprised 10.2% of the total; in this group, CRC incidence was much lower when compared to those presenting symptoms (1.1% vs. 65.8%; p=0.001). Patients without CRC presented a shorter length of symptoms (15.2 vs. 26.4 months; p=0.03) and less frequent weight loss (11.4% vs. 33.9%; p=0.01). At colonoscopy, polyposis was classified as attenuated in 12 patients (14.3%), who presented greater average age (48.2 vs. 33.3 years; p=0.02) and equal CRC incidence (58.3% vs. 58.3%; p=0.6) when compared to those with classic polyposis.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of CRC in FAP patients 1) increases significantly after the second decade; 2) is associated with higher age, weight loss, presence and duration of simptomatology; 3) is similar in patients with attenuated or classic phenotype.