Chemoprevention Considerations in Patients with Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes

Abstract

Secondary prevention of colorectal neoplasia with chemoprevention is long-studied area of research and clinical use in patients with the 2 most common hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes including Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis. No medication is currently approved for use for the prevention of colorectal polyps or cancer in either the general population or individuals with the hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes. Emerging data in animal models and limited data in humans suggest vaccines may be the next breakthrough for neoplasia prevention in patients with hereditary colorectal cancer. Clinicians must acknowledge chemoprevention is an adjunct and does not supplant endoscopic surveillance.

Keywords: Chemoprevention; Familial adenomatous polyposis; Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes; Hereditary colon cancer syndromes; Lynch syndrome.