by American Gastroenterological Association

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Gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyposis syndromes are rare, hereditary disorders associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The U.S. Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer has released new guidance for the diagnosis and management of patients with rare hamartomatous polyposis syndromes with a focus on endoscopic management.

The U.S. Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer recommends patients with two or more lifetime hamartomatous polyps, a family history of hamartomatous polyps, or a cancer associated with a hamartomatous polyposis syndrome in first or second-degree relative undergo genetic evaluation. If the patient and doctor determine genetic testing is warranted, it should be performed using a multigene panel test.

"Each hamartoma syndrome presents a different cancer risk and requires a different surveillance approach, making genetic testing a critical tool in cancer prevention," says lead author Dr. C. Richard Boland, University of California-San Diego School of Medicine. "By understanding a patient's unique genetic makeup, we can craft personalized cancer surveillance plans to prevent cancer progression and save lives."

The 14 recommendations in this new guidance document provide genetic evaluation guidance for patients with harmartomatous polyps as well as surveillance and treatment best practices. This new guidance is published in Gastroenterology and provided by the U.S. Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, which is comprised of leading experts representing the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).

More information: C. Richard Boland et al, Diagnosis and Management of Cancer Risk in the Gastrointestinal Hamartomatous Polyposis Syndromes: Recommendations From the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, Gastroenterology (2022). DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.02.021

Journal information: Gastroenterology 

Provided by American Gastroenterological Association