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Published on: September 19, 2019
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: need for early screening
Kashish Khanna1, Vikram Khanna2, Veereshwar Bhatnagar1
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Insights
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) can lead to early small bowel cancer. This case highlights a 7-year-old boy with PJS diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, likely the youngest reported instance.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an inherited disorder associated with hamartomatous polyps and increased cancer risk.
- Small intestinal cancer typically manifests in PJS patients by their third decade of life.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old boy with PJS presented with severe abdominal pain and melena, indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed jejunal polyps and intussusception, necessitating surgical intervention.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the intussuscepted bowel confirmed well-differentiated stage 2A adenocarcinoma.
- This represents one of the youngest documented cases of small bowel cancer in a patient with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
Implications:
- Early-onset small bowel cancer in PJS patients requires heightened clinical suspicion and surveillance.
- This case underscores the importance of genetic counseling and timely management for individuals with PJS.
- Further research into the early oncogenic mechanisms in PJS may improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant cancer-predisposing condition characterised by intestinal hamartomatous polyps and distinct melanin depositions in skin and mucosa. Small intestinal cancer in patients with PJS usually presents by the third decade. A 7-year-old-PJS boy presented with recurrent episodes of colicky abdominal pain and melena requiring repeated blood transfusions. Abdominal CT scan revealed multiple jejunal polyps with jejunoileal intussusception. On exploration, the intussuscepted bowel was resected along with its mesentery and anastomosed. Simultaneously, multiple enterotomies with resection of palpable polyps were performed. The resected bowel showed well-differentiated stage 2A adenocarcinoma with clear resected margins. Postoperatively, the complaints were relieved. On follow-up, he was asymptomatic and is now on yearly cancer surveillance. This is probably the youngest reported case of small bowel cancer in PJS.
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