Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2015; 21(30): 8985-8993
Published online Aug 14, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i30.8985
Table 1 Main features of rare hereditary cancer syndromes with gastroenterological signs
SyndromeGene(s)/locusInheritanceMain associated neoplasiasGastroenterological signs
BWS11p15Imprinting, UPD, otherWilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, adrenocortical carcinomaAbdominal wall defects, visceromegaly, hepatoblastoma
BloomBLM/RECQL3 (15q26.1)ARCancers common in general population, but presenting at an earlier agesGERD, colon cancer
Carney complexPRKAR1A (17q24.2) Others?ADMyxomas, breast ductal adenomas, LCCSCTColon polyps and cancer, pancreatic cancer
HHT1-ENG (9q34​.11)ADJuvenile polyposis if correlated to SMAD4 mutationsGEP arteriovenous malformations
2-ACVRL1 (12q13​.13)
3-5q31.3-q32
4-7p14
5-GDF2 (10q11​.22)
JP/HHT-SMAD4 (18q21.2)
MEN1MEN1 (11q13)ADParathyroid adenomas, pituitary tumors, NET of the GEP tractCarcinoids, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
NBCCSPTCH1 (9q22.3)ADBasal cell carcinomasLymphomesenteric cysts
SUFU (10q24-q25)
VHLVHL (3p25.3)ADHemangioblastomas, CCRC, pheochromocytoma,Pancreatic and hepatic cysts, PNETs
Table 2 Overlapping of gastroenterological signs among rare cancer syndromes
BloomHHTCarney complexVHLNBCCSMEN1
Colon polyps/cancer×××
Cystic or vascular lesions×××
GEP endocrine tumors××
Table 3 Major/minor features for the diagnosis of rare cancer syndromes with gastroenterological signs
SyndromeMajor featuresMinor features
BWSMacrosomiaPolyhydramnios
MacroglossiaPrematurity
HemihyperplasiaHypoglycemia
Ear-skin lobe creases or pitsAdvanced bone age
VisceromegalyHeart problems
Embryonal tumor (incl Wilms)Diastasis recti
Adrenocortical tumorHemangioma
Kidney abnormalitiesFacial nevus flammeus
Cleft palateCharacteristic facial features
Family history of BWSIdentical twins
Carney complexSpotty skin pigmentationSignificant freckling
MyxomaMultiple Blue nevi
Heart myxomaCafé-au-lait spots
Breast myxomatosisHigh IGF-1 levels, abnormal glucose tolerance test and/or paradoxical GH response to TRH testing, hyperprolactinemia
Breast ductal adenomasCardiomyopathy
PPNAD or abnormal result of Liddle’s testPilonidal sinus
AcromegalyFamily history of Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly or sudden death
LCCSTMultiple skin tags or lipomas
Thyroid cancerColon polyps (usually with acromegaly)
Psammomatous melanotic schwannomaThyroid nodules
Blue neviFamily history of thyroid, colon, pancreas, and ovary cancers
Osteochondromyxoma
NBCCS (Gorlin syndrome)Lamellar calcification of the falxLympho-mesenteric or pleural cysts
Jaw keratocystMacrocephaly (OFC > 97th centile)
Palmar/plantar pits (two or more)Cleft lip/palate
Multiple BCCs (> 5 in a lifetime) or a BCC before 30 yrVertebral/rib anomalies
Childhood medulloblastomaPreaxial/postaxial polydactyly
Ameloblastoma[45]Ovarian/cardiac fibromas
Ocular anomalies
VHLHemangioblastomas or a single hemangioblastoma with a visceral manifestationEndolymphatic sac tumors, papillary cystadenomas of the epididymis or broad ligament, pNETs
Renal cell carcinoma
Adrenal or extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas
Table 4 Tumors of Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome
EndocrineNon-endocrine
Parathyroid tumorFacial angiofibromas
Pituitary tumorsCollagenomas
NET of the GEP tractLipomas
Meningioma
Ependymoma
Leiomyomas
Carcinoid tumors
Adrenocortical tumors