Risk of colorectal polyps and of malignancies in asymptomatic carriers of mutations in the main DNA mismatch repair genes

Abstract

Objective: Mutation carriers (Mut+) in DNA mismatch repair genes are predisposed to cancer of various organs and to adenomatous polyps; however, they may remain asymptomatic and cancer or polyp-free for several years. We purposed to analyse the clinical follow-up of individuals carrying constitutional mutations in the MLH1, MSH2 or MSH6 genes who were unaffected by benign polyps or malignant tumours at diagnosis.

Material and Methods: Mut + subjects (n.81) were members of Lynch syndromes in whom mutations were detected between 1993 and 2015; all were asymptomatic at diagnosis. They were informed of the cancer risk and surveillance was suggested. As controls, 113 nongene carriers (Mut−) in the same Lynch families were identified.

Results: About one-fourth of the mutation carriers developed polyps, mostly adenomas; polyps were less (12%, p < .05) in Mut − subjects, and hyperplastic lesions were the prevalent histology. More polyps were detected in MLH1 vs. MSH2 mutation carriers. In Mut+, 21 malignant tumours developed in 14 carriers vs. 4 tumours in 3 patients among Mut− (p < .001). Tumours were mostly of the Lynch spectrum; however, three glioblastomas were developed, together with neoplasms of various organs (duodenum, thyroid, skin, lung and cervix). Mean age of tumour occurrence was 43.0 years in Mut + vs. 53.0 among Mut−.

Conclusions: Cancer developed more often in Mut+, with no consistent difference between MLH1 and MSH2 carriers. More polyps (mostly adenomas) were detected in MLH1 carriers. The majority (13 of 21) of malignant tumours occurred in organs for which there is no recommended surveillance, and were lethal in three patients.

Keywords:

• Adenoma
• cancer
• MLH1
• MSH2
• MSH6
• polyp
• tumour

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Associazione Ricerca Tumori Intestinali (ARTI, Modena, Italy) for grants to Dr. G. Rossi and G. Magnani. The paper has been presented at the Annual Meeting of the Italian Society of Pathology (SIAPEC, Milan, Italy, 23–25 September 2015) at the Annual Meeting of the Italian Association for the study of Hereditary Digestive Tumors (AIFEG, Naples, Italy, 12–13 November 2015). The authors wish to thank Dr. Carmela Di Gregorio (Pathologist in our Department, now retired) for suggestions and helpful discussions.

Ethics

The study has been conducted in accordance with the ethical standards on human experiments and with the Declaration of Helsinki (1975). In particular, the Ethic Committee of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia approved the study of clinical and molecular aspects of hereditary colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) on 23rd May 1997.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.