Fundic gland polyposis

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Fundic gland polyposis
Endoscopic view of fundic gland polyps.jpg
Endoscopic image of fundic gland polyps taken on retroflexion of gastroscope.
Specialty Gastroenterology

Fundic gland polyposis is a medical syndrome where the fundus and the body of the stomach develop many fundic gland polyps. The condition has been described both in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and attenuated variants (AFAP), and in patients in whom it occurs sporadically. [1]

Contents

Presentation

Most patients with fundic gland polyps (FGPs) do not have any symptoms, and the diagnosis is made on gastroscopy done for other reasons. Retrospective analysis of patients with sporadic FGPs shows that a high percentage do have symptoms, but that this is more likely to be related to the underlying disease responsible for the polyposis. [2] These symptoms include:

The polyps on endoscopy are usually tiny, numerous and sessile, [3] and usually scattered throughout the fundus of the stomach, where parietal cells are more numerous. They have the same colour as the gastric mucosa, and never have a stalk. [4] When the polyps are biopsied, the pathology typically shows shortened gastric pits, and both superficial and deep cystic lesions in the fundic glands, lined by all three types of cells of acid-producing mucosa: mucous, parietal and chief cells. As sometimes parietal cell hyperplasia may develop deep dilations of gland, [5] one should be really strict in the diagnosis of FGPs (i.e. the presence of deep and superficial dilations). Infrequently, the two lesions may coexist. [3] Foci of dysplasia can sometimes be seen. [4]

Disease associations

FGPs can be found in association with the following genetic conditions: [4]

Sporadic FGPs [1] have been associated with:

Pathophysiology

H&E stain of fundic gland polyp showing shortening of the gastric pits with cystic dilatation Fundic gland polyp (1).jpg
H&E stain of fundic gland polyp showing shortening of the gastric pits with cystic dilatation

The development of polyps depends on the underlying disorder.[ citation needed ] In sporadic cases of FGPs, more than 90% of patients have activating mutations in the β-catenin gene, so that they may be considered "neoplastic" polyps. [17]

In familial adenomatous polyposis, the abnormality is a mutation in the APC gene, resulting in its inactivity. Attenuated FAP can occur from other mutations in the APC gene, and causes a phenotype wherein colonic polyps may be few in number. [4]

Both the β-catenin gene and the APC gene are involved in the same cell growth signalling pathway, but the APC gene is known to have a significantly higher association with the development of colorectal tumors. [18]

Diagnosis

The most important consideration in evaluating patients with FGPs is distinguishing between sporadic form (patients without any other gastrointestinal condition, usually in middle age with female prevalence) and syndromic form. This is to ascertain the risk of development of gastric cancer and to ascertain the risk of concomitant colon cancer. [19] [20]

Screening

There is a risk of development of cancer with fundic gland polyposis, [21] but it varies based on the underlying cause of the polyposis. [4] The risk is highest with congenital polyposis syndromes, and is lowest in acquired causes. [4] [22] As a result, it is recommended that patients with multiple fundic polyps have a colonoscopy to evaluate the colon. [4] If there are polyps seen on colonoscopy, genetic testing and testing of family members is recommended. [4] In the gastric adenocarcinoma associated with proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS), there is a high risk of early development of proximal gastric adenocarcinoma. [9] [10]

It is still unclear which patients would benefit with surveillance gastroscopy, but most physicians recommend endoscopy every one to three years to survey polyps for dysplasia or cancer. [4] In the event of high grade dysplasia, polypectomy, which is done through the endoscopy, or partial gastrectomy may be recommended. One study showed the benefit of NSAID therapy in regression of gastric polyps, but the efficacy of this strategy (given the side effects of NSAIDs) is still dubious. [23]

References

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  2. Church, JM; McGannon, E; Hull-Boiner, S; Sivak, MV; Van Stolk, R; Jagelman, DG; Fazio, VW; Oakley, JR; et al. (1992). "Gastroduodenal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis". Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 35 (12): 1170–3. doi:10.1007/BF02251971. PMID   1335405.
  3. 1 2 Declich, P; Ambrosiani, L; Grassini, R; Tavani, E; Bellone, S; Bortoli, A; Gozzini, C; Prada, A (2000). "Fundic gland polyps: a still elusive entity on the eve of the year 2000". Pol J Pathol. 51 (1): 3–8. PMID   10833897.
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  5. Declich, P; Ambrosiani, L; Bellone, S; Tavani, E; Grassini, R; Prada, A; Bortoli, A; Gozzini, C; Omazzi, B (2000). "Parietal cell hyperplasia with deep cystic dilations: a lesion closely mimicking fundic gland polyps". The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 95 (2): 566–8. doi:10.1016/S0002-9270(99)00873-4. PMID   10685784.
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  13. Vieth, M; Stolte, M (2001). "Fundic gland polyps are not induced by proton pump inhibitor therapy". American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 116 (5): 716–20. doi: 10.1309/XFWR-LXA7-7TK1-N3Q8 . PMID   11710689.
  14. Declich, P; Tavani, E; Ferrara, A; Prada, A; Caruso, S; Bellone, S; Bortoli, A; Porcellati, M; Gozzini, C (2001). "Sporadic fundic gland polyps, GERD and omeprazole usage: is there a little piece of information missed?". Polish Journal of Pathology. 52 (1–2): 63–4. PMID   11505682.
  15. Watanabe, N; Seno, H; Nakajima, T; Yazumi, S; Miyamoto, S; Matsumoto, S; Itoh, T; Kawanami, C; et al. (2002). "Regression of fundic gland polyps following acquisition of Helicobacter pylori". Gut. 51 (5): 742–5. doi:10.1136/gut.51.5.742. PMC   1773430 . PMID   12377817.
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  23. Esaki, M; Matsumoto, T; Mizuno, M; Kobori, Y; Yoshimura, R; Yao, T; Iida, M (2002). "Effect of sulindac treatment for attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis with a new germline APC mutation at codon 161: report of a case". Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 45 (10): 1397–402, discussion 1402–6. doi:10.1007/s10350-004-6432-5. PMID   12394442.