Normal mucosal histochemistry and histopathology in familial colorectal cancer.

Histochemical and histopathologic changes have been described in mucosa adjacent to and overlying neoplasms and non-neoplastic conditions of the large bowel. These changes are considered by some investigators to be preneoplastic changes. We studied mucosal biopsy specimens obtained at colonoscopy from all sections of large bowel in 34 asymptomatic subjects. Every subject had a documented family history of colorectal cancer (Cancer Family Syndrome of Lynch); in addition, two had previous colorectal cancers and two had cancers diagnosed at the time of colonoscopy. Consistent interpretations of mucin species secretion were not obtained. Microscopic mucosal abnormalities were not detected. Mucin histochemical and histopathologic changes are not promising markers for colorectal cancer in the Cancer Family Syndrome of Lynch.