Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: An outline on Diagnosis and Management

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant disorder characterized by pigmented mucocutaneous melanotic macules and hamartomatous polyps. PJS arises due to mutations in STK11 gene located on chromosome 19q 13.3 and predisposes the patients to a multitude of malignancies with an estimated cumulative risk of 81% - 93%. Breast, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, reproductive system and lung are common sites of development of malignancies in these patients. Anemia, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, obstruction and intussusception are the usual complications in patients with PJS leading to multiple interventions. Upper GI endoscopy and Double Balloon Enteroscopy (DBE) allows screening of the gastrointestinal tract. Polypectomy of hamartomas more than 1 cm carried out at the time of surveillance endoscopy, abates the complications like bleeding, obstruction and intussusception. When DBE is not feasible, intraoperative endoscopy (IOE) is helpful to evaluate the entire gastrointestinal tract during surgery. IOE is also crucial for removal of all small intestinal polyps. Imaging techniques like magnetic resonance enterography and computed tomography enterography and video capsule endoscopy are non-invasive options for evaluation and screening in these patients. Sixty eight percent of the patients require emergency surgery during their lifetime. Regular cancer screening protocols should be instituted for early detection of malignancies. Genetic counseling and screening of other first degree family members helps in their preemptive identification and management. Chemoprevention using mTOR inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors could be helpful in polyp reduction.