Familial polyposis in children: early detection and preferred treatment

Familial polyposis is a disease with high malignant potential. When the diagnosis is established, surgical removal of the premalignant tissue should be complete. Reports of early malignant expression of the disease have led us to recommend early surveillance and treatment of children from affected families. We describe four children who had total colectomy, rectal mucosectomy, and ileoanal anastomosis, and relate our reasons for preferring this modality of therapy for familial polyposis in young patients.