Polyposis syndromes in children and adolescents: a case series data analysis

Updated Perspectives on the Diagnosis and Management of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant cancer predisposition syndrome marked by extensive colorectal polyposis and a high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Having access to screening and enrollment programs can improve survival for patients with FAP by enabling them to undergo surgery before the development of colorectal cancer. Provided that there are a variety of surgical options available to treat colorectal polyps in patients with adenomatous polyposis, the appropriate surgical option for each patient should be considered. The gold-standard treatment to reduce this risk is prophylactic colectomy, typically by the age of 40. However, colectomy is linked to morbidity and constitutes an ineffective way at preventing extra-colonic disease manifestations, such as desmoid disease, thyroid malignancy, duodenal polyposis, and cancer. Moreover, extensive studies have been conducted into the use of chemopreventive agents to prevent disease progression and delay the necessity for a colectomy as well as the onset of extracolonic disease. The ideal chemoprevention agent should demonstrate a biologically plausible mechanism of action and provide safety, easy tolerance over an extended period of time and a lasting and clinically meaningful effect. Although many pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products have been tested through the years, there has not yet been a chemoprevention agent that meets these criteria. Thus, it is necessary to develop new FAP agents that target novel pathways, such as the mTOR pathway. The aim of this article is to review the prior literature on FAP in order to concentrate the current and future perspectives of diagnosis and treatment. In conclusion, we will provide an update on the diagnostic and therapeutic options, surgical or pharmaceutical, while focusing on the potential treatment strategies that could further reduce the risk of CRC.

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.

Conflict processing networks: A directional analysis of stimulus-response compatibilities using MEG

The suppression of distracting information in order to focus on an actual cognitive goal is a key feature of executive functions. The use of brain imaging methods to investigate the underlying neurobiological brain activations that occur during conflict processing have demonstrated a strong involvement of the fronto-parietal attention network (FPAN). Surprisingly, the directional interconnections, their time courses and activations at different frequency bands remain to be elucidated, and thus, this constitutes the focus of this study. The shared information flow between brain areas of the FPAN is provided for frequency bands ranging from the theta to the lower gamma band (4–40 Hz). We employed an adaptation of the Simon task utilizing Magnetoencephalography (MEG). Granger causality was applied to investigate interconnections between the active brain regions, as well as their directionality. Following stimulus onset, the middle frontal precentral cortex and superior parietal cortex were significantly activated during conflict processing in a time window of between 300 to 600ms. Important differences in causality were found across frequency bands between processing of conflicting stimuli in the left as compared to the right visual hemifield. The exchange of information from and to the FPAN was most prominent in the beta band. Moreover, the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula represented key areas for conflict monitoring, either by receiving input from other areas of the FPAN or by generating output themselves. This indicates that the salience network is at least partly involved in processing conflict information. The present study provides detailed insights into the underlying neural mechanisms of the FPAN, especially regarding its temporal characteristics and directional interconnections.

Polyp Progression in Paediatric Patients With Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: A Single-centre Experience

OBJECTIVES

Prophylactic colectomy at a premalignant stage is the cornerstone of management of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Before surgery, colonoscopy surveillance is recommended in children with FAP. This study aimed to examine the natural history of FAP in children by evaluating adenoma progression and factors influencing timing of colectomy.

METHOD

Patients with FAP younger than 18 years at first surveillance colonoscopy and who had undergone more than 1 colonoscopy were identified. Demographic, endoscopic, genetic, and surgical data were retrieved. Cumulative adenoma (polyp) counts were obtained while accounting for any polypectomies during the study period. The rate of polyp progression and factors influencing the timing of colectomy were evaluated.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients (50% boys; mean age at first colonoscopy 13 years [standard deviation 1.97]) were identified, of which 83 had a family history of FAP. At first colonoscopy, 67 (79%) had <100 adenomas and 29 (35%) had colonic polyps identified despite rectal sparing. The median rate of polyp progression per patient was 12.5 polyps/year (range 0-145). Of the 45 (54%) patients who had undergone surgery, 41 (91%) underwent colectomy with ileorectal or ileodistal sigmoid anastomosis. Polyp progression did not alter the choice of surgical intervention in any patient.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that adenoma number remains relatively stable in the majority of children under surveillance. Tailored surveillance intervals according to phenotype are a more appropriate strategy as recommended by recently published guidelines.

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.

Bowel Imaging in Children: Part 2

The bowel is a challenging abdominal organ to image. A variety of bowel disorders such as congenital, developmental, inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic lesions can affect children and most of them are either unique to this age group or have a distinct clinico-radiological appearance compared to adults. Imaging forms an integral part of management of these disorders. This article will cover inflammatory/infective, neoplastic and miscellaneous disorders affecting the bowel. The authors will highlight the salient imaging features for those entities.

Intussusception reveals MUTYH-associated polyposis syndrome and colorectal cancer: a case report

BACKGROUND

We are reporting a rare case of MUTYH-associated polyposis, a colorectal cancer hereditary syndrome, diagnosticated after an intussusception. Colorectal cancer is an important cause of cancer related mortality that can be manifested by an intussusception, a rare occurrence in adults and almost always related to tumors. Approximately 5% of colorectal cancers can be attributed to syndromes known to cause hereditary colorectal cancer, such as MUTYH-associated polyposis, autosomal genetic syndrome associated with this disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 44 years old male, that sought medical consultation with a complaint of abdominal discomfort, that after five days changed its characteristics. The patient was sent to the emergency department were a CT-scan revealed intestinal sub-occlusion by ileocolic invagination. Right colectomy was carried out. The anatomic-pathological examination revealed a moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma and multiples sessile polyps, which led to the suspicion of a genetic syndrome. In the genetics analysis two mutations were observed in the MUTYH gene, and MUTYH-associated polyposis was diagnosticated.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates the importance of meticulous analysis of the patient examinations results to identify possible discrete alterations that can lead to improved understanding of disease.

Management of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis in Children and Adolescents: Position Paper From the ESPGHAN Polyposis Working Group

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a well-described inherited syndrome, characterized by the development of hundreds to thousands of adenomas in the colorectum, with implications in children and adolescents. Almost all adult patients will develop colorectal cancer if they are not identified and treated early enough. Identifying and screening for FAP commences in adolescence. The syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and caused by mutations in the adenomatous polyposis (APC) gene. This European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) position paper provides a guide for diagnosis, assessment, and management of FAP in children and adolescents.This is the first position paper regarding FAP published by ESPGHAN. Literature from PubMed, Medline, and Embase was reviewed and in the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the opinion of paediatric and adult experts involved in the care of polyposis syndromes. Because many of the studies that form the basis for the recommendations were descriptive and/or retrospective in nature, these of the recommendations are supported on expert opinion. This position paper will instruct on the appropriate management and timing of procedures in children and adolescents with FAP.

Alternative treatments for prophylaxis of colorectal cancer in familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare, hereditary disease characterized by the presence of 100 or more adenomas distributed throughout the colon and rectum. If untreated, colorectal cancer develops in almost 100% of FAP patients. As prophylactic treatment, proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis remains the surgical treatment of choice. High rates of postoperative complications, however, have been reported with this procedure, including bowel dysfunction, incontinence, and reduced female fecundity. Some novel strategies for preventing hereditary colon cancers have been reported. This review summarizes alternative treatments, including the laparoscopic approach, chemoprevention, endoscopic management, and subtotal colectomy combined with endoscopic treatment, for prophylaxis of colorectal cancer in FAP patients.

Upper GI involvement in children with familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome: single-center experience and meta-analysis of the literature

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary syndrome that can affect the entire GI tract. Current screening recommendations include EGD starting at age 25 to 30 years or earlier in symptomatic patients. However, few reports describe upper GI tract involvement in children with FAP that support the notion of early screening. The aim of our study is to understand the prevalence and severity of upper GI involvement in children with FAP.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of the Mayo Clinic records, between 1992 and 2016, to identify children with the diagnosis of FAP who underwent EGD examinations. A systematic review of the literature was performed to include published studies reporting children with FAP and upper GI findings.

RESULTS

The retrospective study included 69 children with a mean age of 13.5 years (range, 3-18). Thirty-six children (52%) had duodenal adenoma with low-grade dysplasia. Five children required an ampullectomy secondary to enlarged and polypoid ampullas. Combined with published studies, a total of 206 children with upper GI findings were identified, of which 87 (42%) had duodenal adenoma (1 had high-grade dysplasia). Meta-analysis of 5 series demonstrated duodenal adenoma detection rate of 39% (95% confidence interval, 21%-57%; I² = 85%).

CONCLUSIONS

The available data to date show that children with FAP can have clinically relevant lesions in the upper GI tract earlier than previously foreseen, suggesting that earlier screening may be indicated. Larger multicenter prospective studies are needed to determine the best approach and optimal age for EGD screening in children with FAP.

Fundic Gland Polyps in the Pediatric Population: Clinical and Histopathologic Studies

We retrospectively studied the clinical and histologic features of pediatric fundic gland polyps (FGPs) in 16 patients. FGPs had an endoscopic prevalence of 0.25% in 8527 pediatric gastric biopsies. Five patients had familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The median age of onset was 17.7 years in FAP and 17.3 years in sporadic patients. All syndromic patients were asymptomatic and FGPs were identified during surveillance for existing or concurrent colon polyps. They did not take antacids. In comparison, all 11 sporadic FGPs were identified during evaluation of symptomatic patients who had taken antacids (median duration 21 months). Syndromic FGPs can be multiple at single endoscopy and were more likely to recur, while sporadic FGPs were often single. None of the sporadic patients had recurrence of FGPs or a subsequent diagnosis of FAP during a median follow-up of 20.5 months. The dilated fundic glands were lined by parietal and chief cells only in a majority (22/41, 53.7%) of syndromic FGPs, while additional tall mucinous lining cells were found in all sporadic FGPs. Syndromic FGPs did not have parietal cell hypertrophy in the background oxyntic mucosa. Nuclear immunopositivity for beta-catenin was essentially absent in all the FGPs. In conclusion, FGPs were rare in pediatric patients. In syndromic patients, FGPs are asymptomatic and did not precede colon polyps. Prolonged antacid intake seems to be associated with development of sporadic FGPs. Cellular components of dilated fundic glands and background parietal cell hypertrophy can be useful features to eliminate concern for syndromic polyposis.

Chemoprevention of hereditary colon cancers: time for new strategies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is potentially preventable. Chemoprevention, a focus of research for the past three decades, aims to prevent or delay the onset of cancer through the regression or prevention of colonic adenomas. Ideal pharmacological agents for chemoprevention should be cheap and nontoxic. Although data indicate that aspirin can reduce the risk of CRC in the general population, the highest return from chemopreventive strategies would be expected in patients with the highest risk of developing the disease, particularly those with a defined hereditary predisposition. Despite compelling data showing that a large number of chemopreventive agents show promise in preclinical CRC models, clinical studies have yielded conflicting results. This Review provides a historical and methodological perspective of chemoprevention in familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome, and summarizes the current status of CRC chemoprevention in humans. Our goal is to critically focus on important issues of trial design, with particular attention on the choice of appropriate trial end points, how such end points should be measured, and which patients are the ideal candidates to be included in a chemopreventive trial.