Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Additional Signs of FAP

People with FAP usually develop polyps in the duodenum and they sometimes develop desmoid and other tumors, which need separate treatment.

Duodenal Polyps

Duodenal polyps (in the duodenum, the foot-long part of the small intestine after the stomach) have a much lower risk of becoming cancerous than polyps in the colon or rectum, but they still need to be watched, especially if they occur in the papilla of Vater, a small mound of tissue that contains the opening of the bile and pancreatic ducts.

Screening for duodenal polyps is usually done with a duodenoscope, a pencil-thin, flexible tube inserted into the mouth and guided down the esophagus, through the stomach, and into the duodenum. If polyps are found, they may be removed or cauterized during this procedure.

If duodenal polyps become large or numerous, the duodenum may need to be surgically removed.

Desmoid Tumors (or desmoids)

Desmoid tumors are composed of cells similar to scar tissue. They can occur anywhere in the body but most often develop in the abdomen, especially near the small intestine. While not cancerous, desmoid tumors can cause problems if they block the bowel or blood vessels or ureters.

Symptoms may include abdominal or back pain, and treatment may include medication, radiation or surgery, depending on the location and seriousness of the tumor(s).

Other Conditions

Other conditions sometimes associated with FAP include:

• Benign skin tumors (epidermoid cysts and lipomas)
• Benign bone tumors (osteomas)
• Pigment changes in the retina of the eye
• Tumors of the thyroid, central nervous system, adrenal glands, liver and other organs
• Dental abnormalities