Definition:
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is caused by a mutation in the APC gene. FAP is an inherited condition, so if you have it, you were born with it. Approximately one percent of colon cancer is caused by FAP.
To learn more about how genes can influence cancer risk, please read Genetics and Colorectal Cancer Risk.
Sources:
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is caused by a mutation in the APC gene. FAP is an inherited condition, so if you have it, you were born with it. Approximately one percent of colon cancer is caused by FAP.
What are the effects of familial adenomatous polyposis?
Most people are at risk of developing a polyp here and there, usually starting around age 50. But people with FAP develop hundreds of colon polyps, usually starting in their teenage years. Having so many polyps (polyposis) gives people with FAP a 100 percent chance of developing colon cancer, usually by age 45.How is familial adenomatous polyposis treated?
People with FAP who follow conventional treatment only have one option: surgery. A way to prevent so many polyps from forming hasn't been proven yet, so the safest thing is to remove the colon. No colon, no polyps, no cancer. That's the idea.To learn more about how genes can influence cancer risk, please read Genetics and Colorectal Cancer Risk.
Sources:
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). Mount Sanai Hospital. 1 Sep. 2006 [http://www.mtsinai.on.ca/familialgicancer/Diseases/FAP/treatment.htm].
- Komaromy, M. What is FAP? Genetic Health. 1 Aug. 2000. 1 Sep. 2006 [http://www.genetichealth.com/CRC_FAP_A_Hereditary_Syndrome.shtml].
- Wehbi, M. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. eMedicine. 22 Aug. 2006. 1 Sep. 2006 [http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic769.htm].
Also Known As: familial polyposis, adenomatous polyposis, fap
