Turcot's syndrome and its mode of inheritance

Medulloblastomas associated with an APC germline pathogenic variant share the good prognosis of CTNNB1-mutated medulloblastomas

BACKGROUND

Medulloblastomas may occur in a predisposition context, including familial adenomatosis polyposis. Medulloblastomas related to a germline pathogenic variant of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) remain rare and poorly described. Their similarities with sporadic WNT medulloblastomas still require description.

METHODS

We performed a multicentric retrospective review of 12 patients treated between 1988 and 2018 for medulloblastoma with an identified or highly suspected (personal or familial history) APC germline pathogenic variant. We report personal and familial history APC gene pathogenic variants whenever available: clinical and histologic characteristics of the medulloblastoma, treatments, and long-term outcome, including second tumor and late sequelae.

RESULTS

Medulloblastomas associated with APC pathogenic variants are mainly classic (11/11 patients, 1 not available), nonmetastatic (10/12 patients) medulloblastomas, with nuclear immunoreactivity for ß-catenin (9/9 tested cases). Ten of 11 assessable patients are disease free with a median follow-up of 10.7 years (range, 1-28 y). Secondary tumors included desmoid tumors in 7 patients (9 tumors), 1 thyroid carcinoma, 2 pilomatricomas, 1 osteoma, 1 vertebral hemangioma, and 1 malignant triton in the radiation field, which caused the only cancer-related death in our series.

CONCLUSIONS

Medulloblastomas associated with an APC pathogenic variant have an overall favorable outcome, even for metastatic tumors. Yet, long-term survival is clouded by second tumor occurrence; treatment may play some role in some of these second malignancies. Our findings raise the question of applying a de-escalation therapeutic protocol to treat patients with APC germline pathogenic variants given the excellent outcome, and reduced intensity of craniospinal irradiation may be further evaluated.

Possible Considerations for the Management of Turcot’s Syndrome?

Background:

Turcot’s syndrome (TS) is a rare disease with known incidence of about 1-2 cases per year. It is, however, linked to high mortality due to the brain cancer. And because of this, we propose recommendations, aimed at preventing the mortality of the patients and to minimize the risk of undiagnosed Turcot’s syndrome.

Methods:

The authors collected the worldwide published data on TS, from the year of its definition till 2018, all of which was published on the search engines, such as Medline, Medknow, Cohraine and Wiley.

Results:

We included 97 patients, 57 from which are females and 40 males with median age of 22 years. The most common type of cancer is medulloblastoma, followed by glioblastoma and astrocytoma. We further divided the patients into two categories based on the first symptom of the disease and we made an algorithm of approaching these patients.

Conclusion:

TS is a disease that affects mostly members of families with multiple genetic mutations and types of cancers. And because of the unknown mechanisms of inheritance, it is useful to establish guidelines for the approach of those patients, in order to minimize the high mortality rate.

The Roles of miRNAs in Medulloblastoma: A Systematic Review

Medulloblastoma is considered one of the most threatening malignant brain tumors with an extremely high mortality rate in children. In the medulloblastoma, there are several genes and mutations found to work in an unregulated manner that works together to push the cells into a cancerous state. With the discovery of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs), it has been shown that a different layer of gene regulations may be disrupted which would cause cancer. This fact led scientists to put their focus on the role of miRNAs in cancer. A mature miRNA contains a seed sequence which gives the miRNA to identify and attach to the interest mRNA; this attachment may lead degradation of mRNA or suppress of translation of the mRNA. The expression of miRNAs in medulloblastoma shows that some of these non-coding RNAs are overexpressed (OncomiRs) which help cells to proliferate and keep their stemness features. On the other hand, there are other forms of these miRNAs which normally inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell differentiation (tumor suppressor). These are down-regulated during cancer progression. In this systematic review, we attempted to gather several important studies on miRNAs’ role in medulloblastoma tumors and the importance of these non-coding RNAs in the future study of cancer.

[Turcot syndrome and Gardner's syndrome in a female patient with familial colon adenomatosis. A case report and literature review]

Turcot syndrome is a rare hereditary syndrome characterized by a combination of brain tumors and colorectal cancer. According to the literature, about 150 such cases have been reported. This article presents a rare clinical case and a literature review.

Homozygous germ-line mutation of the PMS2 mismatch repair gene: a unique case report of constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD)

Background

Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome results from bi-allelic inheritance of mutations affecting the key DNA mismatch repair genes: MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 or PMS2. Individuals with bi-allelic mutations have a dysfunctional mismatch repair system from birth; as a result, constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome is characterised by early onset malignancies. Fewer than 150 cases have been reported in the literature over the past 20 years. This is the first report of the founder PMS2 mutation - NM_000535.5:c.1500del (p.Val501TrpfsTer94) in exon 11 and its associated cancers in this family.

Case presentation

The proband is 30 years old and is alive today. She is of Pakistani ethnic origin and a product of consanguinity. She initially presented aged 24 with painless bleeding per-rectum from colorectal polyps and was referred to clinical genetics. Clinical examination revealed two café-au-lait lesions, lichen planus, and a dermoid cyst. Her sister had been diagnosed in childhood with an aggressive brain tumour followed by colorectal cancer. During follow up, the proband developed 37 colorectal adenomatous polyps, synchronous ovarian and endometrial adenocarcinomas, and ultimately a metachronous gastric adenocarcinoma. DNA sequencing of peripheral lymphocytes revealed a bi-allelic inheritance of the PMS2 mutation NM_000535.5:c.1500del (p.Val501TrpfsTer94) in exon 11. Ovarian tumour tissue demonstrated low microsatellite instability. To date, she has had a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and a total gastrectomy. Aspirin and oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy provide some chemoprophylaxis and manage postmenopausal symptoms, respectively. An 18-monthly colonoscopy surveillance programme has led to the excision of three high-grade dysplastic colorectal tubular adenomatous polyps. The proband’s family pedigree displays multiple relatives with cancers including a likely case of ‘true’ Turcot syndrome.

Conclusions

Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome should be considered in patients who present with early onset cancer, a strong family history of cancer, and cutaneous features resembling neurofibromatosis type I. Immunohistochemistry analysis of tumour and normal tissue is sensitive and specific for identifying patients with mismatch repair deficiency and should direct DNA sequencing of lymphocytic tissue to establish a diagnosis. Microsatellite instability status appears to be of little value in identifying patients who may have constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome.

Familial adenomatous polyposis of the colon

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a well-defined autosomal dominant predisposition to the development of polyposis in the colon and rectum at unusually early ages. The first symptoms of FAP are diarrhea and blood in the stool. Weight loss and weaknesses occur after the development of advanced tumour. The incidence of the FAP disorder is one per 10000 newborns. There are high levels of heterogeneity with regard to the number and timing of the occurrence of polyps. The classical form of FAP is characterized by the presence of more than 100 polyps, which appear in the second decade of life. The average time of occurrence of polyps is 15 years. The earliest symptoms of polyposis have been observed in a three-year-old child. The polyps are characterized by large potential for the development towards malignant tumour. Malignancy can occur from late childhood onwards. Attenuated adenomatous polyposis coli is characterized by a more benign course of disease in contrast to classical FAP. The occurrence of FAP is associated with mutations in the APC tumour suppressor gene, which was described in 1991. The APC gene is located on chromosome 5q21 and is involved in cell proliferation control. A recessive form of adenomatous polyposis is caused by mutations in the base excision repair gene - MUTYH gene. The MUTYH gene is involved in repairing DNA lesions as a result of oxidative DNA damage. MUTYH associated polyposis (MAP) is a predisposition to the development of polyps of the colon but the number of polyps is lower in comparison to classical FAP. The high risks of cancer observed in these two diseases make them important medical issues. Molecular studies of colonic polyposis have been performed in Poland for over fifteen years. A DNA Bank for Polish FAP patients was established at the Institute of Human Genetics in Poznan in which DNA samples from 600 FAP families have been collected.

Turcot's syndrome associated with intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: case report and review of literature

A 15-year-old boy was admitted with the diagnosis of colonic polyposis, and during a 2-year follow-up, he underwent operation for right parieto-occipital anaplastic astrocytoma, left-side colonic non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and cerebella glioblastoma which were all confirmed by histology. Although cases of Turcot's syndrome (TS) (colonic polyposis and primary brain tumour occurring in the same patient) have been previously described, association with haematological malignancy is rare. We hereby report such a case with TS.

A novel combination of multiple primary carcinomas: urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma--report of a case and review of the literature

Background

The incidence of multiple primary malignant neoplasms increases with age and they are encountered more frequently nowadays than before, the phenomenon is still considered to be rare.

Case presentation

We report a case of a man in whom urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma, metachronous prostate adenocarcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma were diagnosed within an eighteen-month period. The only known predisposing factor was that he was heavy smoker (90–100 packets per year). The literature on the phenomenon of multiple primary malignancies in a single patient is reviewed and the data is summarized.

Conclusion

It is important for the clinicians to keep in mind the possibility of a metachronous (successive) or a synchronous (simultaneous) malignancy in a cancer patient. It is worthy mentioning this case because clustering of three primary malignancies (synchronous and metachronous) is of rare occurrence in a single patient, and, to our knowledge, this is the first report this combination of three carcinomas appearing in the same patient.

An unusual case of Turcot’s syndrome associated with ileal adenocarcinoma, intestinal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and duodenal adenocarcinoma. Review of the classification and genetic basis of Turcot’s syndrome

A 38-year-old man with a history of colonic and small bowel polyposis and glioblastoma was investigated for dyspepsia. Upper GI endoscopy identified an abnormal area in the duodenum, confirmed by histology as high grade non-Hodgkin's B cell MALT lymphoma. Although cases of Turcot's syndrome (TS) (colonic polyposis and primary brain tumour occurring in the same patient) have been previously described, association with haematological malignancy is rare. This is the first report of intestinal lymphoma occurring in an adult with TS.

Café-au-lait spots and early onset colorectal neoplasia: a variant of HNPCC?

BACKGROUND

Café-au-lait spots (CALS) are classically found in neurocutaneous syndromes such as neurofibromatosis, but have not been associated with hereditary colorectal cancer. However, review of hereditary colorectal cancer case reports reveals occasional description of CALS on physical exam.

METHODS

We describe the colonic and extracolonic phenotype in a family with CALS and early onset colorectal neoplasia (adenomas and/or cancer) and review 23 additional families reported in the literature.

RESULTS

Among the 24 families, 32/59 (54.2%) individuals had colorectal adenomas diagnosed at a mean age of 15.7 +/- 1.1 (SE) years (range 5-38 years). The majority (24/32, 75.0%) of persons at first colorectal examination had oligopolyposis (< 100 polyps) versus polyposis (> or = 100 polyps). Forty-two of 59 (71.2%) individuals were affected with colorectal cancer, diagnosed at a mean age of 31.9 +/- 2.7 years (range 5-70 years). A brain tumor was found in 28/59 (47.5%) affected individuals (4 families with 2 or more cases) with an overall mean age of diagnosis of 16.5 +/- 1.2. Lymphoma and/or leukemia was found in 8/24 (33.3%) families (one family with 3 cases). Two families had mutation of the mismatch repair gene, hPMS2 (1 with homozygous germline mutation), while two carried homozygous germline mutations of another mismatch repair gene, hMLH1.

CONCLUSIONS

Café-au-lait spots with early onset colorectal neoplasia may identify families with a variant of HNPCC characterized by oligopolyposis, glioblastoma at young age, and lymphoma. This variant may be caused by homozygous mutation of the mismatch repair genes, such as hPMS2 or hMLH1.

A father and son with Turcot's syndrome: evidence for autosomal dominant inheritance: report of two cases

Typical Turcot's syndrome is characterized by the association of a brain glioma together with multiple colonic polyposis, in which the number of polypoid lesions is small and the association of colonic cancer occurs at a younger age than in familial adenomatous polyposis. We describe a family in which both the father and his son presented with typical Turcot's syndrome without parental consanguinity. This is the first report of a family that is considered to follow an autosomal dominant inheritance. After reviewing 25 documented cases in which the average age of death was 20.3 years old, it was learned that the major cause of death was brain tumor (76 percent) and the minor cause was colon cancer (16 percent). Patients were very young and, therefore, unlikely to have produced a child before their death. These facts seem to support the theory that Turcot's syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder.

Case report: an inherited APC mutation in the first reported Australian case of Turcot's syndrome

The objective of this study was to determine the inherited gene mutation responsible for the first reported Australian case of Turcot's syndrome. DNA was extracted from the archival tissue blocks obtained at the time of the patient's original surgery and from fresh blood samples obtained from selected family members. These were analysed for mutations of the familial adenomatous polyposis gene (APC). Analysis of DNA from the archival blocks and from each of the affected family members revealed an inherited 5 base pair deletion at codon 1061 of APC. In this case, the central nervous system tumour represents an extracolonic manifestation of familial adenomatous polyposis. The underlying inherited mutation of APC has been identified. In some cases of Turcot's syndrome, other genes appear to be involved. Recent literature examining the molecular basis of Turcot's syndrome is reviewed.

Genetic alterations in a patient with Turcot's syndrome

Turcot's syndrome (TS) is a rare disorder associated with the development of both brain and colon neoplasms. Because of the very low incidence of the disease, its molecular basis remains unclear. Presented is a TS case of a 30-year-old Japanese male with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of both brain tumor (glioblastoma multiforme) and colon tumor (well-differentiated adenocarcinoma). Germline mutations of the p53 gene, somatic mutations of the Ki-ras, p53 and APC genes, and microsatellite instability (MSI) was examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by PCR-direct sequencing, and sequencing after subcloning. No germline mutations of the p53 gene were found. Somatic mutations of Ki-ras and APC genes were found in the colon adenocarcinoma but not in the brain tumor. No somatic mutation of the p53 gene was present in either colon or brain tumors. Microsatellite instability of both colon and brain tumors was positive in two of four loci. These results indicate that the colon tumor of the TS patient carries the Ki-ras and APC gene mutations. The finding of MSI in both the brain and the colon tumors may support the hypothesis that alterations of DNA repair genes are involved in the tumor development of the TS patient.

Triple primary malignant neoplasms including a malignant brain tumor: report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Two rare cases of triple primary malignant neoplasms (PMN), including malignant brain tumors, which were glioblastoma multiformes, are described.

METHODS

The clinical characteristics and underlying genetic alterations in triple or more PMN, including malignant brain tumors are discussed with intensive review of the literature.

RESULTS

The first patient, a 77-year-old male, suffered metachronously from tubular adenocarcinoma of the stomach, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, and glioblastoma in the brain. This glioblastoma had loss of heterozygosity in exons 7-8 in p53 gene. The second patient, a 68-year-old male, developed papillary adenocarcinoma of the lung, adenocarcinoma of the rectum, and glioblastoma in the brain during a period of 7 years. In 42 such cases described in the literature, age distribution demonstrated two characteristic peaks, one in the third decade and the other over 50 years of age. The younger group consisted mainly of Turcot's syndrome, and of a case of Li-Fraumeni familial cancer syndrome. On the other hand, neither of these hereditary cancer syndromes were contained in the elder group. Regarding the site of PMN, colorectal cancers were associated most frequently with malignant brain tumors, followed by stomach cancers, and thyroid cancers. Malignant brain tumors, mostly glioblastoma multiforme, tend to occur as the last tumor of triple or more PMN.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that genetic background might play an important role in tumorigenesis of PMN in the younger group, whereas epigenetic factors would be more important in the older group. Characteristic organ association and factors influencing carcinogenesis, such as aging, environmental carcinogens, and underlying genetic alterations in these tumors are further discussed.

Turcot's syndrome: a new case in the first decade of life

A case of Turcot's syndrome is described in an 8-year-old girl. Turcot's syndrome is a rare hereditary disease in which malignant glioma of the central nervous system is associated with colonic polyposis. The patient initially presented with a left parietal glioblastoma diagnosed by computed tomography (CT), and was subsequently found to have nonfamilial colonic polyposis.

Turcot's syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis associated with brain tumor: review of related literature

We investigated clinical manifestations in 124 patients with a possible Turcot's syndrome whose data were taken from documented cases. The cases were subclassified mainly on the bases of the type of familial occurrence and listed in five Tables. We searched for differences in colonic manifestation, histologic type of glioma, mode of inheritance, frequency of parental consanguinity, skin lesions and other accompanying lesions among these five groups. The differences of these clinical findings suggested that glioma-polyposis syndrome should be classified as follows; (1) cases of Turcot's syndrome who had characteristic colonic and brain manifestations, (2) cases of FAP associated with glioma, (3) suspicious cases of glioma-polyposis, and (4) cases other than glioma-polyposis syndrome.

Malignant epithelial tumours in children: incidence and aetiology

The purpose of this study was to establish the incidence of carcinomas in children, changes in incidence over a 30-year period, and to identify features of possible aetiological significance. A total of 173 cases were identified, but after review of the histopathology, 30 patients were excluded because they were considered to have benign epithelial tumours or malignant tumours of nonepithelial origin. Seven other cases were excluded because pathology material was not available. Overall, in 28% of cases, the diagnoses were changed by pathology review. Thus, 136 children in the West Midlands Region diagnosed 1957-1986 were included, with carcinoid tumours (44) and tumours of skin (22), nasopharynx (14), salivary gland (13), adrenal cortex (13), thyroid (9), large bowel (5), other (16). Excluding carcinoids, the age-standardised incidence rate was 2.4 x 10(6) per year. Male:female ratio was 0.7:1 and 66% were aged > 10 years. Incidence increased from 1.5 to 3.3 x 10(6) per year. Genetic factors predisposing to carcinoma included tyrosinosis, MEN II and III, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and basal cell naevus syndrome. There was a case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome and several other patients had relevant family histories. Probable "environmental" causes included antenatal exposure to stilboestrol or hydroxyprogesterone hexanoate, stilboestrol given for premature menarche, neonatal hepatitis and prior radiotherapy. The aetiology of carcinomas in children is multifactorial, both genetic and environmental factors being important. The incidence is increasing.

Turcot's syndrome

A non-familial case of cerebellar medulloblastoma associated with adenomatous polyposis coli is described and the literature is reviewed. This is the second reported case of Turcot's syndrome in Australia. A greater understanding of the genetic implications of this rare condition might be achieved through reporting of cases and long-term documentation with polyposis registries.

Turcot's syndrome. Flow cytometric analysis

Turcot's syndrome is a rare, genetically transmittable disease in which patients with colonic polyposis (possibly complicated by the progression to adenocarcinoma) have malignant central nervous system neoplasms. Dominant, recessive, and sporadic cases have been described. A 26-year-old man is reported with no relevant family history who had intermittent abdominal discomfort in 1986. Sigmoidoscopy revealed numerous polyps, several of which showed carcinomatous change. Dukes' Stage C colorectal carcinoma was diagnosed. Treatment consisted of total colectomy with construction of a Koch's pouch. He remained well for 3 years until onset of headache, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomographic scan disclosed a large, circumscribed, enhancing, right frontoparietal mass. After craniotomy and partial resection, histologic review disclosed anaplastic astrocytoma. He received cranial radiation therapy, 6000 cGy, by parallel opposed ports to the tumor bed, and carmustine 200 mg/m2 intravenously every 8 weeks. Flow cytometric DNA analysis was done on the paraffin-embedded archival material from the patient's normal colon, colonic adenocarcinoma, and anaplastic astrocytoma. DNA histograms revealed diploid distributions in all three samples. The G2/M fraction of the astrocytoma was elevated at 16%, and the S-phase fraction of the colonic adenocarcinoma was 19.4%.

The UK Northern region genetic register for familial adenomatous polyposis coli: use of age of onset, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, and DNA markers in risk calculations

A polyposis register has been established in the Northern Region of England. A total of 48 families with 71 living affected subjects has been identified during the first three years of operation, a prevalence of 2.29 x 10(-5). Indirect ophthalmoscopy identifies the majority of gene carriers by showing multiple areas of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). The absence of this sign in families limits its value where a relative with CHRPE has not been identified. Combining eye examination with data on age of onset and linked DNA markers is highly effective in carrier exclusion; 38% of 528 first, second, and third degree relatives had their carrier risk reduced to less than 1 in 1000. Even with such assurance many subjects will request continued bowel screening at a reduced frequency. Little interest has been shown in prenatal diagnosis. The principal value of a genetic register with domiciliary nurse visiting is the reduction in early mortality among unrecognised gene carriers.

Ocular findings in Turcot syndrome (glioma-polyposis)

Turcot syndrome is a hereditary condition characterized by multiple, adenomatous gastrointestinal polyps associated with neuroepithelial tumors of the central nervous system. The authors examined a patient with Turcot syndrome who had multiple regions of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) with areas of surrounding hypopigmentation in the fundi of both eyes. Multiple, bilateral patches of CHRPE have been reported in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and Gardner syndrome. This finding is thought to be a sensitive and specific clinical marker for these conditions and useful for predicting the presence and development of colorectal polyposis. Our findings provide further evidence that familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner syndrome, and Turcot syndrome may be related conditions representing the variable phenotypic expression of a single, autosomal dominant genetic disorder. Children and young adults with multiple patches of CHRPE and a family history of adenomatous polyposis may be at increased risk for the development of central nervous system tumors as well as gastrointestinal polyps.

[Turcot syndrome: a report of 2 cases]

The authors describe two patients with the association of polyposis-coli and central nervous system tumor (Turcot's syndrome). Clinical, genetic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

Turcot's syndrome with intestinal lymphoma in a child: an unusual case of triple tumor

Turcot's syndrome, the association of brain tumor (usually glioblastoma, medullo-blastoma, or astrocytoma) and colonic polyps, is a very rare condition of which about 20 cases have been reported. It has been described only once previously with cancer in a third organ system. In this paper, we report a child affected with colonic polyposis and astrocytoma (i.e., Turcot's syndrome) associated with intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Turcot's syndrome: a diagnostic consideration in a child with primary adenocarcinoma of the colon

We report the diagnosis of an adenocarcinoma of the colon in a 12-year-old girl in association with the presence of a small number of adenomatous polyps and a positive family history of a sibling with a central nervous system glioma. These findings implicate Turcot's syndrome as the cause for the development of intestinal and intracranial neoplasms in the two siblings. Since primary adenocarcinoma of the bowel is unusual in children, an underlying predisposing condition should be sought in affected cases.

Brain tumors in familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis was always believed to be a colonic disease of genetic determination with a high risk of development of cancer of the large bowel. Over the years the list of extracolonic manifestations of this disease, both benign and malignant, has amplified. Brain tumors and, in particular, medulloblastoma have not become recognized as major malignant extracolonic manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis. They are of particular significance because, unlike most of the other manifestations, they occur prior to or early in the development of the colonic manifestations of this disease. This report documents the investigation of 168 kindreds in The Cleveland Clinic Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Registry in a search for those at-risk individuals who developed brain tumors.

Supratentorial astrocytic tumours of childhood: a clinicopathologic study of 41 cases

Forty-one patients with ages from 0 to 16 years harbouring supratentorial astrocytic tumours were treated between 1964 and 1986. Twenty-four of them were located in the cerebral hemisphere or in the ventricle, and 17 were in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and/or optico-hypothalamic region. There were nine glioblastomas multiforme, four anaplastic astrocytomas, 11 fibrillary astrocytomas, 12 pilocytic astrocytomas, two pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, two subependymal giant cell astrocytomas and one primitive astrocytic tumour. Low grade tumours tended to occur in young subjects near the midline, and high grade one in older patients in the hemisphere. Initial treatment in most the patients was a resection or biopsy followed by radiation therapy. Eleven patients were retreated for their recurrent tumours with combinations of surgical removal of the tumour, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. After a follow-up of 3 months to 17 years, 51% of the patients survived with a median survival of 7 years. Outcome of the patients with supratentorial astrocytomas correlated mostly with the histological grade of malignancy of the tumour, and to a lesser degree with the tumour location. The biological behavior and treatment of supratentorial astrocytomas in childhood are discussed.

The possible presence of a separate disease entity in nonfamilial polyposis of the large intestine

Familial adenomatosis coli (FAC) traditionally has been diagnosed as the presence of more than 100 colonic adenomas, even if no familial occurrence is present. In the present communication, clinical features of FAC have been compared in detail to detect differences between familial and nonfamilial cases with regard to colonic and extracolonic lesions and to discover whether they constitute the same disease entities. No significant difference was found in the incidence of extracolonic lesions. The average number of colonic polyps in the nonfamilial cases of patients over 30 years old was 1128, the number of polyps was significantly higher in the familial cases (3154). When three patients with approximately 100 polyps were excluded, the mean number of colonic polyps in nonfamilial cases became 2608. This was similar to that of familial cases. Furthermore, the occurrence of approximately 100 polyps was extremely rare in familial patients who were over 30 years old. Therefore, most of the nonfamilial cases can be considered to be familial probands of FAC, but some, such as the three cases in the present study, may be a different disease entity, such as recessive adenomatous polyposis or multiple colonic adenomas.

Turcot's syndrome. A review

Turcot's syndrome represents the association between familial multiple polyposis coli and neural tumors. The syndrome is reviewed with reference to genetics, colonic and central nervous system manifestations. This evidence suggests that Turcot's syndrome represents one manifestation of the pleiotropic autosomal dominant gene responsible for familial polyposis coli and the associated extracolonic manifestations of Gardner's syndrome. A diagnosis of Turcot's syndrome should be restricted to those patients with familial polyposis coli associated with gliomas or medulloblastomas. A further case is presented that is believed to be the first report of such a case in the United Kingdom.

Turcot syndrome. Autosomal dominant or recessive transmission?

The authors analyzed a family in which three descendants presented with adenocarcinoma of the colon. In two of them the presence of colonic adenomatosis was observed. Another family member, a 13-year-old girl, presented with Turcot syndrome, that is, brain tumor associated with colonic adenomatosis. The nature of the hereditary transmission of Turcot syndrome is hence analyzed, discussing whether it happens through an autosomal recessive or a dominant gene. Undoubtedly the family has colonic adenomatosis, a disease considered of autosomal dominant transmission. Based on the clinical observation, the authors suggest that Turcot syndrome may be determined by an autosomal gene with a pleiotropic effect and variable expressivity.

Nonfamilial intestinal polyposis and brain tumor in a 5-year-old girl

A 5-year-old girl with glioblastoma multiforme and simultaneous adenocarcinoma in one of multiple colonic polyps is the youngest reported case of Turcot's syndrome. A literature survey and a classification based on family pedigree and pattern of inheritance are proposed.

Turcot's syndrome

The first reported case of Turcot's syndrome (brain tumour with polyposis coli) in Australia is described. An awareness of the possible extracolonic concomitant conditions of polyposis coli should lead to the prompt investigation of any patient with either known polyposis or a family history of polyposis who develops a disorder of the central nervous system.

Turcot syndrome (glioma polyposis). Case report

A case of Turcot syndrome (glioma polyposis) is described in a 22-year-old woman. The patient initially presented with a frontoparietal glioma, and was subsequently found to have segmental colonic polyposis with adenocarcinomatous changes. Her colonic polyposis was nonfamilial.

Turcot syndrome and its characteristic colonic manifestations

The reported clinical manifestations of Turcot syndrome were studied to determine whether these corresponded to those of Turcot's original cases. Among the patients with well-documented colonic lesions, the colonic lesions were classified into three groups. First, there was a main group in which colonic lesions had the following characteristics that coincided with those of Turcot's original cases: a low number of polyps (20-100), large polyps over 3 cm in diameter, and complication by colonic cancer during the second or third decades. In the second group, the patients had too few polyps to be diagnosed as polyposis. The third group included patients with numerous colonic polyps similar to those of familial polyposis coli. The recognition of these characteristics of colonic lesions may lead to early detection of glioma in the asymptomatic period.

The Turcot syndrome. Report of an additional case and review of the literature

Another unusual autopsy case of the Turcot syndrome is reported in a 23-year-old woman with polyposis coli, who developed primary carcinoma of the jejunum and glioblastoma multiforme of the left frontal lobe. Previously documented cases are reviewed. Discussion focuses on the occurrence of other extracolonic abnormalities observed with the Turcot syndrome.

Medical aspects of hereditary intestinal polyposis

Extracolonic manifestations are often associated with familial polyposis coli, but the cysts and osteomas may be few and inconspicuous. Abnormal fibrous reactions may also occur and may be a cause of death. These manifestations act as "external markers" for the later appearances of adenomas. In any family, some individuals may manifest some extracolonic manifestations and other individuals may not. Other abnormalities, usually neoplastic, described in familial polyposis coli families, are probably fortuitous occurrences, but medulloblastoma has been found relatively frequently. Turcot's syndrome, described in a unique family, should be used more restrictively. Diagnosis depends on histology showing adenomas, but no particular number is required in an afflicted family member. Total reliance on sigmoidoscopy alone is potentially hazardous as the descending colon may be affected initially. Inherent problems regarding "isolated cases" are outlined.

Turcot's syndrome. Evidence for autosomal dominant inheritance

A case of Turcot's syndrome (colonic polyposis plus a malignant central nervous system tumor) occurring in a kindred with autosomal dominant colonic polyposis is presented. It is proposed that Turcot's syndrome patients can be classified into Type I where only siblings are affected and Type II where two or more generations have colonic polyposis. A third nonfamilial group cannot be classified into Type I or II based on available information. Evidence is presented suggesting Turcot's syndrome is best considered an additional phenotype of familial polyposis and is most likely inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

Acute leukemia after radiotherapy in a patient with Turcot's syndrome. Impaired colony formation in skin fibroblast cultures after irradiation

Colonic polyposis and carcinoma developed in a woman with Turcot's syndrome at the age of 31 years; astrocytoma developed when she was 37. Her brother and sister had died of astrocytoma at the ages of 18 and 33 years, respectively. Progressive neutropenia developed in the patient three months after radiotherapy for her brain tumor and acute myelomonocytic leukemia 19 months after treatment. Three laboratories independently evaluated cultures of her skin fibroblasts for in vitro sensitivity to cell killing (loss of colony-forming ability) by x-rays. Survival assays consistently revealed slight but significant radiosensitivity in an early-passage (six to 10 doublings) fibroblast subculture. A later subculture (21 to 29 doublings) showed no abnormality, a possible effect of selective in vitro loss of radiosensitive cells.

Familial polyposis coli and its extracolonic manifestations

A detailed clinical study of 30 families with familial polyposis coli is presented. Seven 'isolated' cases are also described. It was found that some families did not exhibit any extracolonic manifestations, but the majority of families showed various numbers of members who had these manifestations of differing types and degrees. In view of the great variability within the members of a family, polyposis coli and the Gardner syndrome are probably both produced by one pleiotropic gene. The occurrence of other neoplastic phenomena in association with polyposis coli has been considered. Many types of malignancy can occur in these patients and their families and the majority are probably fortuitous. The consistent finding of an association with medulloblastoma is such as to make this association of significance, but no reason is known for this. It is suggested that the term 'Turcot syndrome' should be used in a more restrictive manner than at present.

Carcinoma arising in an ileostomy stoma: an unusual complication of adenomatous polyposis coli

A patient with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) without extraintestinal lesions is presented. The clinical course was complicated by rectal adenocarcinoma following subtotal colectomy. A primary adenocarcinoma arising in a villous adenoma within the ileostomy stoma developed seven years later. The varied pathology of gastric and small intestinal involvement in APC/Gardner's syndrome is reviewed. Greater awareness of these lesions has implications for further management.