Hyperplastic polyposis coli syndrome and colorectal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Patients with hyperplastic polyposis coli syndrome (HPCS) have a propensity to develop colorectal carcinoma (CRC).


METHODS
Details were retrieved from the files of patients attending our hospital between 1988 and 2004 who fulfilled the World Health Organization criteria for HPCS.


RESULTS
Over a period of 16 years, 10 cases of HPCS were identified at our hospital (0.625 cases/year or one case every 1.6 years). A mean of 40.3 hyperplastic polyps per patient were found (range 6-159). Other colorectal lesions were found as follows: two patients each had one mixed polyp; there were 15 serrated adenomas in eight patients; and there were 30 tubular, tubulovillous, or villous adenomas in eight patients. Among the 10 patients with HPCS, seven developed a CRC. Of the four villous adenomas, three were associated with a CRC, but only one of the 15 serrated adenomas was associated with a CRC. The pathway of cancer evolution in HPCS patients remains unresolved.


CONCLUSIONS
Similarly to our results, a review of the literature indicates a high incidence of CRCs in HPCS patients. These patients are at a high risk of developing a CRC and should therefore receive regular colonoscopic surveillance.
Rubio
C A
CA
Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden. Carlos.Rubio@onkpat.ki.se
Stemme
S
S
Jaramillo
E
E
Lindblom
A
A
D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology*