110 : Lower GI Cancers Flashcards
Polyp is a grossly visible protrusion from the mucosal surface. 3 types of polyps are:
- Nonneoplastic hamartoma (e.g. juvenile polyp)
- Hyperplastic mucosal proliferation (hyperplastic polyp)
- Adenomatous polyp
Which type of polyp is premalignant?
Adenomas
Adenomatous polyps are seen in 30% of middle-aged and 50% of elderly people. What percentage of polyps become malignant?
<1%
Developmental steps toward carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer
- Point mutations in K-ras protooncogene
- Hypomethylation of DNA –> gene activation
- Loss of DNA (allelic loss) at the site of a tumor-suppressor gene (APC geneL on 5q21
- Allelic loss at the site of a tumor-suppressor gene on chromosome 18q (the deleted in colorectal cancer [DCC] gene)
- Allelic loss at chromosome 17p, associated with mutation in p53 tumor-suppressor gene
Probability of an adenomatous polyp to become a cancer depends on
- Gross appearance of lesion (pedunculated or sessile)
- Histologic features (tubular, villous, tubulovillous)
- Size (<1.5cm is negligible, 1.5-2.5cm as intermediate, >2.5cm as substantial)
Characteristics of polyp that can become malignant
Sessile polyps
Villous adenomas
>2.5cm in size
When should colonoscopy be done in patients with adenomatous polyp in the absence of documented malignancy?
Colonoscopy should be done periodically at least every 3 years
Risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer
- Diet: Animal fat
- Hereditary syndromes : Polyposis coli, MYH-associated polyposis, Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer [HNPCC] (or Lynch’s syndrome)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Streptococcus bovis bacteremia (endocarditis, septicemia)
- ?Tobacco use
T or F: Colorectal cancer occurs more often among upper socioeconomic population who live in urban areas.
True
Growth factor implicated to stimulate proliferation of intestinal mucosa, common among obese persons, and associated with colorectal cancers
Insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I)
T or F: Accdg to studies and trials, dietary fiber and diets high in fruits and vegetables failed to show that it can prevent colorectal cancer and recurrence of colorectal adenomas
True
Rare condition characterized by the appearance of thousands of adenomatous polyps throughout the large bowel transmitted via autosomal dominant trait
Polyposis coli (familial polyposis of the colon)
Molecular pathology in polyposis coli
- Deletion in long arm of chromosome 5 (including APC gene) causing allelic loss
- Absence of tumor-suppressor genes that would normally inhibit neoplastic growth
Subset of polyposis coli presenting with soft tissue and bony tumors, congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium, mesenteric desmoid tumors, and ampullary cancers
Gardner’s syndrome
Polyposis coli with appearance of malignant tumors of the central nervous system
Turcot’s syndrome
Prognosis for polyposis coli if not treated surgically
Colonic polyps appear by age 25
Colorectal cancer will develop in almost all patients before age 40
Surgical treatment and prevention for polyposis coli
Total colectomy
Medical therapy for polyposis coli that can decrease the number and size of polyps temporarily
- NSAIDS such as Sulindac
2. Selective COX-2 inhibitors such as Celecoxib
Risk of an offspring to develop polyposis coli
50% risk
Screening by annual flexible sigmoidoscopy until age 35 or proctosigmoidoscopy
Location of polyps in polyposis coli
Cecum to anus
Definitive diagnosis for polyposis coli
Detection of APC gene mutation from DNA testing
Rare autosomal recessive syndrome caused by biallelic mutation in the MUT4H gene
MYH-associated polyposis (MAP)
Recommended surveillance for patients with MYH-Associated Polyposis
Annual to biennial colonoscopic surveillance starting at age 25-30
An autosomal dominant trait, also called the Lynch’s syndrome, associated with high frequency of colorectal cancer arising in proximal large bowel, with median age of <50 years
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
Characteristics of HNPCC
- Three or more relatives with histologically documented colorectal cancer, one of whom is a first-degree relative of the other two
- One or more cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed before age 50 in the family
- Colorectal cancer involving at least two generations
HNPCC is associated with multiple primary cancers. Other associated cancers aside from colorectal cancer include
- Ovarian CA
- Endometrial CA
- Gastric, small-bowel, genitourinary, pancreaticobiliary and sebacious skin tumors
In HPNCC, recommended screening for family members would be
Annual or biennial colonoscopy beginning at age 25
WITH intermittent pelvic ultrasonography AND endometrial biopsy for afflicted women
Germline mutation of these genes are associated with HNPCC
hMSH2 on chromosome 2
hMLH1 on chromosome 3