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Objective: a) to evaluate the appropriateness of histological criteria as proposed by Morson as indicators for surgery; and b) to compare the adequacy of Morson's criteria with Haggitt's levels as indicators for surgery in the case of malignant sessile lesions. Material and methods: we carried out a prospective, protocolized study of 42 patients with polyps with invasive carcinoma (IC) who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy from 1979 through 2008. We applied the histological criteria proposed by Morson to all the patients included in the series. Results: we treated 24 polyps with IC and favorable histological criteria (FC) and 18 polyps showing unfavorable histological criteria (UC). All polyps with FC were treated by means of colonoscopic polypectomy. None of the patients showed signs of disease after a mean follow-up period o f 9.67 yrs. Patients with polyps with UC were recommended to undergo surgery. The presence of unfavorable histological criteria in the polypectomy sample was clearly associated with an unfavorable patient outcome and showed a 100% sensitivity level, a negative prognostic value (NPV) of 100%, and a false negative (FN) percentage of 0% for the prognosis of the disease. We found 12 sessile polyps (Haggitt's level 4). Colonoscopic polypectomy was the treatment employed in 9 out of 12 cases. All patients are free from disease (mean follow-up 7.3 yrs). If Haggitt's level criteria had been applied, all 12 patients would have undergone surgery. This means 58% more patients than following Morson's criteria. Conclusions: Morson's criteria are considered an adequate diagnostic tool for the indication of surgery in patients with malignant adenomas. Haggitt's invasion levels do not accurately discriminate the necessity for surgery in case of malignant sessile lesions.

Objetivo: analizar la evolución de la mucosa rectal y del reservorio así como idoneidad de los intervalos de seguimiento y del tratamiento realizado para evitar la aparición del cáncer, en una serie de pacientes con poliposis adenomatosa familiar (PAF), intervenidos. Método: estudio prospectivo de 28 pacientes con PAF intervenidos mediante anastomosis íleo-rectal (20 pacientes) y anastomosis íleo-anal con reservorio (8 pacientes). A todos se les había realizado un control endoscópico dos veces al año y análisis del número y características macroscópicas e histológicas de los pólipos antes y después de la cirugía así como del tratamiento realizado, de sus complicaciones y de la adecuación del intervalo de seguimiento. El seguimiento medio fue de 6,47 años (DE = 4,59; rango = 0,72-16,75 años). Resultados: ninguno de los 26 pacientes que cumplimentaron correctamente el protocolo de seguimiento desarrolló cáncer. Sólo dos pacientes lo desarrollaron al 1,75 y los 3 años, respectivamente del abandono del protocolo. Los pacientes que desarrollaron adenomas durante el seguimiento fueron tratados con éxito mediante polipectomía endoscópica, salvo en dos casos que se indicó cirugía. Conclusiones: en nuestra serie, el incumplimiento de las revisiones ha sido el factor que ha condicionado la aparición de cáncer. Objective: the study was to assess changes in the rectal mucosa and pouch in a series of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who underwent either subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) or proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), and to evaluate the suitability of the follow-up interval and postoperative treatment employed to prevent the development of cancer. Method: this study involved 28 patients with FAP who underwent IRA (n=20) or IPAA (n=8), and were followed endoscopically over a mean period of 7.47 years. The number and both macroscopic and histological features of polyps before and after surgery, the treatment, and complications were all analyzed. The suitability of the follow-up interval was assessed. Results: none of the 26 patients who complied with follow-up developed rectal cancer. Two patients developed rectal cancer at 21 and 36 months after withdrawing from the protocol. Except in two cases in which surgery was indicated, patients who developed adenomas during follow-up were treated by endoscopic polypectomy. Conclusions: in our series, the failure to comply with follow-up examinations was associated with cancer development.

The association of specific genetic disturbances with the development of hereditary cancer helps us to understand the risk of suffering from it, the possibility of an earlier diagnosis, and the treatment and prevention of this disease. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a pre-neoplastic syndrome characterized by the presence of hundreds of adenomatous polyps in the colon, which develop into a carcinoma. FAP can be diagnosed using sequencing techniques to detect mutations in the germinal line of the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene. The genetic diagnostic approach in families with FAP, previously followed up in the Gastrointestinal Clinic, has both advantages and disadvantages, and places us nearer the disease and patient. Disclosing the results of this genetic test entails relevant problems in clinical practice, which affect the health field and raise legal and ethical issues, along with the familial, occupational, and social implications that knowing the genetic status can have on the patient. Genetic analysis is rare in normal clinical practice, which involves errors in the interpretation of the results obtained, and during the process of genetic counselling. Specialized multidisciplinary units are necessary for the management of patients with FAP undergoing analysis and appropriate genetic counselling, thus providing an individualized service. The creation of FAP registers and protocols for this healthcare process should optimize the management of these patients and their families. La asociación de determinadas alteraciones genéticas con la aparición de cáncer hereditario, nos permite conocer el riesgo de padecerlo, posibilitando el diagnóstico precoz, el tratamiento y la prevención de la enfermedad. La poliposis adenomatosa familiar (PAF) es un síndrome preneoplásico que se caracteriza por la presencia de cientos de pólipos adenomatosos en colon, que evolucionarán hacia carcinoma. La PAF puede ser diagnosticada mediante técnicas de secuenciación que detectan mutaciones en la línea germinal del gen APC (adenomatous poliposis coli). El abordaje del diagnóstico genético en familias con PAF seguidas previamente en la consulta de digestivo, ha permitido poner de manifiesto tanto las ventajas como los inconvenientes de esta forma de acercarnos a la enfermedad y a los pacientes. La revelación de los resultados de la prueba genética comporta importantes problemas en la práctica clínica, que afectan tanto al ámbito sanitario, como al ético y legal, además de las implicaciones familiares, laborales y sociales que el conocimiento del status genético puede tener para el paciente. El análisis genético es poco frecuente en la práctica clínica habitual, lo que conlleva errores tanto en la interpretación de los resultados obtenidos como durante el proceso del consejo genético. Son necesarias unidades multidisciplinares especializadas en el manejo de pacientes con PAF, en las cuales se realice un análisis y un consejo genético adecuado, permitiendo así una atención personalizada. La creación de registros de PAF y la protocolización de este proceso sanitario debería optimizar el manejo de estos pacientes y sus familias.