Diseases

Familial Multiple Polyposis Syndrome

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Familial adenomatous polyposis (fap) is an inherited disorder characterized by cancer of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. People with the classic type of familial adenomatous polyposis may begin to develop multiple noncancerous (benign) growths (polyps) in the colon as early as their teenage years.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms range from abdominal pain and diarrhea, with or without bleeding, to asymptomatic presentation. Fap may be accompanied by conditions such as polyps in the stomach and duodenum, other adenomas, lipomas, or osteomas, and secondary malignancies such as brain tumors, thyroid cancers, and intestinal cancers.

CAUSES

People with the classic type of familial adenomatous polyposis may begin to develop multiple noncancerous (benign) growths (polyps) in the colon as early as their teenage years.