Colon Polyps

Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes

Hamartomas are growths in the colon that originate from different tissues than adenomas. Initially, they are benign (not cancerous) but they have a higher risk of developing into cancers during a person's lifetime. Several syndromes are associated with specific genetic mutations.

• In juvenile polyposis, growth of the polyps starts earlier, usually in early childhood. The cancer rate is slightly lower (17 to 68 percent chance of developing cancer by age 60).
• In Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, in addition to polyps, blotchy patches of discoloration appear around the mouth, eyes and nostrils. The chance of developing colon cancer is somewhat lower (39 percent chance by age 64), but there is an increased risk of cancers of the breast, pancreas, stomach and ovaries.
• Cowden's disease is associated with a different genetic mutation and carries an increased risk of breast and thyroid cancers.