Solitary juvenile polyps in children and colon cancer

Background/Aims: Solitary Juvenile Polyps (SJP) are quite common in preschool children although they may occur at any age. It is not known whether the existence of a single juvenile polyp in. a child predisposes to future development of new SJP or is related to colorectal neoplasia. The present study was designed to follow up young patients who had undergone polypectomy for SJP and their first degree relatives to elucidate the development of adenomatous polyps or colon cancer. Materials and methods: From 31 children polypectomized for histologically proven SJP between 1983-1995, we were abbe to contact and gather information on 24. From our records and the information collected we studied age, gender, site of the polyp in the bowel, personal history, and family history. Results: Mean time of follow up was 9.1 years (range 0.4-10, SD +/- 3.1) Mean age was 4.6 years (Range 3.5-9, SD +/- 1.2). There were 24 boys and 10 girls (ratio 1.4/1). Eighteen polyps were located at the rectosigmoid area, 5 in the lower descending colon, and one in the splenic flecture. From the 24 children, only one girl developed rectal bleeding at the age of 15 years, 8 years after polypectomy. However, subsequent evidence from the large bowel did not reveal any abnormality and the symptom was attributed to hemorrhoidal bleeding. Thorough investigation of the history of 146 first degree relatives (dead or alive) siblings, parents, and grandparents revealed that none of them were diagnosed with adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer. Conclusion: SJP does not predispose to future development of new juvenile polyps and is not associated with a high risk of colorectal malignancy.