BACKGROUND: Familial adenomatous polyposis is a hereditary disease with autossomic and dominant features, frequently associated to many extracolonic manifestations. AIM: To report extracolonic manifestations incidence and to analyze its impact on the disease's outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Revision of patient charts treated from 1977 to 2001, relating associated extracolonic manifestations and its complications. RESULTS: Among 59 familial adenomatous polyposis patients, 23 (38,9%) presented some extracolonic manifestations at diagnosis or during follow-up. There were registered 37 different extracolonic manifestations (1.6 per patient). The most common manifestations were osteomas and congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, diagnosed in 25% and 20% of the investigated patients, respectively. Other extracolonic manifestations were represented by upper digestive adenomas, epidermoid cysts, desmoid tumor (seven each), gastric cancer (three) and tireoid cancer (two). Desmoid-associated complications were reported in six patients, being intestinal obstruction in four and hidronephrosis in two; two deaths (28,5%) were registered. CONCLUSIONS: Extracolonic manifestations incidence is high (40%) and may affect disease's outcome and patient's quality of life. For these reasons, the research, prevention and adequate treatment of extracolonic manifestations turn into vital importance in familial adenomatous polyposis patients.
Adenomatous polyposis coli; Gardner syndrome; Adenoma
