Rapid Disease Progression of Liver Metastases following Resection in a Liver-Transplanted Patient with Probable Lynch Syndrome - A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Solid organ transplantation provides life-saving therapy for patients with end-stage organ disease, and its outcomes have been improving dramatically over the past few decades. However, substantial morbidity results from chronic immunosuppressive therapy administered to prevent graft rejection. It predisposes patients to several life-threatening complications, such as opportunistic microbial infections and the development of different types of cancers. Here, we presented the case of a young man with probable Lynch syndrome, who developed an aggressive colon carcinoma after long-term immunosuppressive therapy due to a prior liver transplantation. Based on this case report, we attempt to find an answer to the question about the risk of cancer development or recurrence in patients with familial syndromes receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy and to find out how it can be minimized. Answering these questions is particularly important, given the facts that disease course is substantially more aggressive among transplanted patients and that prognosis is poor due to lack of immunocompetence, especially in the setting of Lynch syndrome.

Correlation between location, size and histologic type of colorectal polyps at the presence of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma represents 96-98% of colorectal neoplasms, and neoplastic polyps (adenomas) are their precursors. The aim of this study is to correlate size, location and histologic type of colorectal polyps at the presence of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Methods: Colonoscopies from January/2007 to December/2008 were retrospectively studied, in order to evaluate the characteristics of the polyps. Results and Discussion: Out of the 2,401 analyzed colonoscopies, 583 (24.3%) presented polyps. Due to the lack of histopathologic data, 139 exams were excluded. Mean age of the patients was 58±12 years, and 60% were females. Polyps were prevalent in the left colon (38.5%) and rectum (32.5%). Out of the 850 polyps which were histologically examined, 55.17% were tubular adenomas; 21.88%, hyperplastic; 17.05%, serrated; 5.4%, tubulovillous; and 0.47%, villous. As to polyps ≤1.0 cm, dysplasia was observed in 16.0% and adenocarcinoma in 1.9%. Those >1.0 cm, 72.0% (p<0.001) presented dysplasia, and 25.3% (p<0.001) presented adenocarcinoma. Polyps in the right and transverse colon were strongly associated with dysplasia (17.8% and 16.7%). Adenocarcinomas were prevalent in the left colon (2.5%) and rectum (2.1%). Conclusion: Polyps were more frequent in the left colon and rectum. The right and transverse colons were strongly correlated with dysplasia. Those of the left colon and rectum were associated with adenocarcinoma. Lesions >1.0 cm were positively related to dysplasia and neoplasm. (AU)

O adenocarcinoma representa 96-98% do câncer colorretal, sendo os pólipos neoplásicos (adenomas) seus precursores. O objetivo desse estudo é correlacionar tamanho, localização e tipo histológico de pólipos colorretais com a presença de displasia e adenocarcinoma. Métodos: Estudou-se retrospectivamente colonoscopias realizadas entre janeiro/2007 e dezembro/2008, avaliando-se as características dos pólipos. Resultados e Discussão: Das 2401 colonoscopias analisadas, 583 (24,3%) apresentaram pólipos. Por falta de dados histopatológicos, excluiu-se 139 exames. A média de idade foi 58±12 anos, sendo 60% mulheres. Houve predomínio no cólon esquerdo (38,5%) e reto (32,5%). Quanto ao tamanho, 86,58% eram ≤1 cm. Dos 850 pólipos analisados histologicamente, 55,17% eram adenomas tubulares, 21,88% hiperplásicos, 17,05% serrilhados, 5,4% tubulovilosos e 0,47% vilosos. Dos pólipos ≤1,0 cm, 16,0% apresentaram displasia e 1,9% adenocarcinoma; dos >1,0 cm houve displasia em 72,0% (p<0,001) e adenocarcinoma em 25,3% (p<0,001). Pólipos do cólon direito e transverso associaram-se mais à displasia (17,8% e 16,7%, respectivamente). Adenocarcinoma predominou no cólon esquerdo (2,5%) e reto (2,1%). Conclusão: Os pólipos predominaram em cólon esquerdo e reto. Os do cólon direito e transverso correlacionam-se fortemente à displasia, e os do reto e cólon esquerdo ao adenocarcinoma. Lesões maiores que 1,0 cm associaram-se positivamente com a presença de displasia e neoplasia. (AU)