title: Endoscopic findings in Cowden syndrome.
abstract: Cowden syndrome is characterized by diffuse hamartomas involving the whole digestive tract. The gastrointestinal expression of the disease is inconstant, but hamartomatous polyposes are frequent. In a multicenter study we studied the endoscopic appearance of Cowden syndrome--as defined by fulfillment of international consortium criteria--in 10 patients. In 6 of the 10 patients the connection with Cowden syndrome was made retrospectively on the basis of the gastrointestinal endoscopic findings. All patients had upper and lower gastrointestinal tract involvement. Mean follow-up duration was 9.5 years (range: 2-26 years). Mean age was 37 years (range: 18-56 years). Polyps of the upper gastrointestinal tract were hamartomas, ganglioneuromas, lipomas, and adenomas. Diffuse glycogenic acanthosis was reported in nine patients. Besides the classical hamartomatous polyposis, diffuse macroscopic esophageal acanthosis and microscopic ganglioneuromatosis are other key findings associated with a diagnosis of Cowden syndrome. Physicians should be aware of these characteristics in order to diagnose Cowden syndrome early.
authors: Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Teaching Hospital Cochin, Paris, France. romain.coriat@cch.aphp.fr
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Coriat
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mozer
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Caux
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Caux
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Chryssostalis
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Terris
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Grandjouan
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Benamouzig
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Martin
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Chaussade
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000473:pathology*; D006003:Glycogen; D006223:Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006003:Glycogen