Extra-colonic manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis coli.

The most important clinical manifestation of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a profuse polyposis predisposing to colorectal cancer. This clinical picture emphasises the fundamental cellular role of APC in colorectal tumorigenesis. As prophylactic colorectal surgery has significantly reduced the mortality associated with this disorder, other less penetrant signs and symptoms of the condition are becoming more clinically relevant. Highlighting these problems will help improve the quality of life for patients with FAP and may have the additional benefit of shedding new light on other possible functions of the APC protein.