Complications Linked To Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Desmoids

Desmoids are another common complication from familial adenomatous polyposis. A desmoid tumor is a tumor that grows out of connective tissue, which is tissue vital for the flexibility and strength of muscles, ligaments, and bones throughout the body. There are two reasons desmoid tumors are so prevalent in familial adenomatous polyposis patients. The first is the APC gene is normally meant to stop tumor growth. It's responsible for telling cells when to stop reproducing. With a defective APC gene, cells throughout the body are prone to creating excess tissue, leading to tumors and polyps. As for the connective tissue, the APC gene is supposed to interact with beta-catenin protein. If this protein doesn't function properly, it can't help connective tissue form the way it's supposed to. Desmoid tumors generally aren't cancerous because they don't spread to other systems in the body. However, they can be aggressive and difficult to remove, and they also have a high rate of recurrence even after seemingly-successful removal surgeries. Symptoms vary widely depending on the location of the tumor, but the most common symptom is pain.

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