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Upper Endoscopic Surveillance in Lynch Syndrome Detects Gastric and Duodenal Adenocarcinomas

Lynch syndrome is a prevalent hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome. While colorectal cancer is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) cancer in Lynch syndrome, there is also increased risk of gastric and small intestinal cancers. Recommendations for upper GI cancer surveillance in Lynch syndrome vary widely with limited data supporting effectiveness. Herein, we collected data on individuals with a diagnosis of Lynch syndrome seen at our tertiary care referral center. We identified individuals who underwent upper endoscopy and those with upper GI cancers, and associated demographics, genetic testing results, and endoscopic information. Standard statistical analyses were performed. Among 295 individuals with Lynch syndrome seen at our center, 217 (73.6%) underwent 660 total upper endoscopies. Of these 217, precancerous upper endoscopy findings included Barrett's esophagus (7, 3.2%), gastric intestinal metaplasia (18, 8.3%), and duodenal adenomas (4, 1.8%), and Helicobacter pylori was identified in 6 (2.8%). Upper GI cancers were diagnosed in 11 individuals (3.7%), including esophageal in 1, gastric in 6, and duodenal in 4. Five (1.7%) of these upper GI cancers were identified on surveillance. Individuals with upper GI cancers identified on surveillance were older at first surveillance endoscopy, with median age 63.3 versus 44.9 years (P < 0.001). Of the upper GI cancers detected on surveillance, 80% (4/5) occurred within 2 years of last upper endoscopy and 80% were stage I. In conclusion, upper endoscopy surveillance in Lynch syndrome identifies upper GI cancers. For individuals with Lynch syndrome who undergo upper GI surveillance, a short surveillance interval may be warranted.

Interval colon cancer in a Lynch syndrome patient under annual colonoscopic surveillance: a case for advanced imaging techniques?

Background

Lynch syndrome confers increased risk for various malignancies, including colorectal cancer. Colonoscopic surveillance programs have led to reduced incidence of colorectal cancer and reduced mortality from colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy every 1–2 years beginning at age 20–25, or 10 years earlier than the first diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a family, with annual colonoscopy after age 40, is the recommended management for mutation carriers. Screening programs have reduced colon cancer mortality, but interval cancers may occur.

Case presentation

We describe a 48-year-old woman with Lynch syndrome who was found to have an adenoma with invasive colorectal cancer within one year after a normal colonoscopy.

Conclusion

Our patient illustrates two current concepts about Lynch syndrome: 1) adenomas are the cancer precursor and 2) such adenomas may be “aggressive,” in the sense that the adenoma progresses more readily and more rapidly to carcinoma in this setting compared to usual colorectal adenomas. Our patient’s resected tumor invaded only into submucosa and all lymph nodes were negative; in that sense, she represents a success for annual colonoscopic surveillance. Still, this case does raise the question of whether advanced imaging techniques are advisable for surveillance colonoscopy in these high-risk patients.