What are symptoms of familial adenomatous polyposis?
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Symptoms
- Bloody stool.
- Unexplained diarrhea.
- A long period of constipation.
- Abdominal cramps.
- Decrease in size or caliber of stool.
- Gas pain, bloating, fullness.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Lethargy and vomiting.
What type of polyp is FAP?
Classic familial adenomatous polyposis, called FAP or classic FAP, is a genetic condition. It is diagnosed when a person develops more than 100 adenomatous colon polyps. An adenomatous polyp is an area where normal cells that line the inside of a person’s colon form a mass on the inside of the intestinal tract.
How does FAP turn into cancer?
FAP causes extra tissue (polyps) to form in your large intestine (colon) and rectum. Polyps can also occur in the upper gastrointestinal tract, especially the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum). If untreated, the polyps in the colon and rectum are likely to become cancerous when you are in your 40s.
Can familial adenomatous polyposis skip generations?
FAP does not skip generations. In the past, neither doctors nor scientists could predict who would be diagnosed with FAP until adenomas developed in the large intestine. However, in 1991, the gene responsible for FAP was discovered and was named the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli, or APC, gene.
Who discovered familial adenomatous polyposis?
Dalton [18] in 1893 described a woman aged 28 years with a congenital predisposition to growth of multiple adenomas of the large bowel.
When does familial adenomatous polyposis lead to cancer?
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) leads to the growth of hundreds to thousands of non-cancerous (benign) polyps in the colon and rectum. Overtime, the polyps can become cancerous (malignant), leading to colorectal cancer at an average age of 39 years.
What are the side effects of adenomatous polyposis?
In addition to colon cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis can cause other complications: Duodenal polyps. Periampullary polyps. Gastric fundic polyps. Desmoids. Other cancers. Noncancerous (benign) skin tumors. Benign bone growths (osteomas). Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). Dental abnormalities.
How are APC mutations related to adenomatous polyposis?
These mutations affect the ability of the cell to maintain normal growth and function. Cell overgrowth resulting from mutations in the APC gene leads to the colon polyps seen in familial adenomatous polyposis.
What kind of Doctor specializes in adenomatous polyposis?
1 Medical geneticist 2 Gastroenterologist 3 Surgeon 4 Orthopedic surgeon 5 Ophthalmologist 6 Dentist