Familial 'minor' adenomatous polyposis coli associated with gastric carcinoma - a hiterto undescribed phenotype of polyposis coli?

A clinical study of a family (Sch.) with a high incidence of death from gastric cancer in the second generation is presented. Endoscopic and/or surgical evaluation of the stomach, upper small intestine, and colon in 14 mainly asymptomatic members of the third and fourth generations revealed single or multiple (solitary) papillary adenomas in the colon or jejunum in 2 members each of the two generations. In addition, single or multiple hyperplastic polyps in the stomach or colon were found in 5 members, in 4 of them in association with papillary adenomas. The findings in family Sch. are consistent with 'minor' adenomatous polyposis coli associated with gastric carcinoma. Gastric carcinoma probably represents another phenotype among the vast variety of extra-colonic and extra-alimentary neoplastic changes known to occur in association with familial polyposis coli (FPC). The relationship of hyperplastic polyps to papillary adenoma in the colon and to gastric carcinoma respectively is discussed. Finally, evidence for a genetic relationship between family Sch. and a case with probable FPC is presented.