Cancer Risk Increased in Relatives of Patients with Serrated Polyposis

Findings support evidence for an inherited component to the disease.


According to the World Health Organization, criteria for the diagnosis of serrated polyposis (formerly called hyperplastic polyposis syndrome) include the presence of >20 serrated polyps (either sessile serrated polyps or hyperplastic polyps) throughout the colon; ?5 serrated polyps proximal to the sigmoid (of which ?2 are >10 mm in size); or any serrated polyp proximal to the sigmoid in a first-degree relative of a patient with serrated polyposis.

To estimate the risk for colorectal and other cancers in relatives of patients with serrated polyposis, investigators evaluated a cohort of 1639 first- and second-degree relatives of 100 index patients with serrated polyposis. Fifty-four colorectal cancers were observed in first-degree relatives (standardized incidence ratio, 5.16; P<0.001) and 48 in second-degree relatives (SIR, 1.38; P=0.04). First-degree relatives had a higher risk for pancreatic cancer (SIR, 3.64; P=0.003) but not for cancers of the stomach, brain, breast, or prostate. The cumulative risk for colorectal cancer at age 70 in first-degree relatives was 15% in men and 12% in women. If the index case was diagnosed at <50 years, the cumulative risk increased to 24% in men and 19% in women.


Citation(s):

Win AK et al. Cancer risks for relatives of patients with serrated polyposis. Am J Gastroenterol 2012 May; 107:770.