Serrated polyposis syndrome

SUMMARY

Serrated polyposis syndrome, also called hyperplastic polyposis, is a condition characterized by numerous neoplastic polyps throughout the colon and rectum. The polyps possess a distinct serrated morphology. The term serrated refers to the ‘saw-tooth’ pattern formed by epithelial cells in the colonic crypts on standard histologic preparations. Historically, serrated lesions have been lumped together under the term ‘hyperplastic polyps’, and were assumed to carry no malignant potential. Over the past decade, however, an increasing body of evidence suggests that serrated lesions exist along a spectrum and represent an alternative molecular pathway to the development of colorectal cancer in contrast to the traditional adenocarcinoma sequence. Although a hallmark genetic signature for serrated polyposis syndrome remains unidentified, this is an area of active investigation.

KEYWORDS:

• BRAF mutation
• CMP pathway
• colectomy
• colon cancer
• colonoscopy
• hyperplastic polyps
• sessile serrated adenomas
• sessile serrated polyps
• traditional serrated adenomas

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank M Kwatkosky-Lawlor for her assistance with the editing process and preparation of the bibliography.