Diseases

Familial Colorectal Polyposis (Gardner Syndrome)

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A familial polyposis that is characterized by numerous adenomatous polyps in the colon which typically become malignant if left untreated, by osteomas (as of the skull or mandible), and by skin tumors, that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, and that is sometimes considered a variant form.

SYMPTOMS

Other signs and symptoms of gardner syndrome include dental abnormalities; osteomas (benign bone growths); various skin abnormalities such as epidermoid cysts, fibromas (a benign tumor of the connective tissue), and lipomas; anddesmoid tumors.

CAUSES

The syndrome is a genetic condition, which means it's inherited. The adenomatous polyposis coli (apc) gene mediates the production of apc protein. The apc protein regulates cell growth by preventing cells from dividing too fast or in a disorderly way. People with gardner's syndrome have a defect in the apc gene.