Actionability Assertions

Gene Condition (MONDO ID) OMIM ID Final Assertion
No assertions found.

Actionability Assertion Rationale

  • This topic was initially scored prior to development of the process for making actionability assertions. The Actionability Working Group decided to defer making an assertion until after the topic could be reviewed through the update process.

Actionability Scores

Outcome / Intervention Pair Severity Likelihood Effectiveness Nature of Intervention Total Score
Gastrointestinal cancer / Endoscopic surveillance 2 3C 3N 2 10CN
View scoring key
Domain of Actionability Scoring Metric State of the Knowledgebase
Severity: What is the nature of the threat to health to an individual? 3 = Sudden death as a reasonably possible outcome
2 = Reasonable possibility of death or major morbidity
1 = Modest morbidity
0 = Minimal or no morbidity
N/A
Likelihood: What is the chance that the outcome will occur? 3 = >40% chance
2 = 5%-39% chance
1 = 1%-4% chance
0 = <1% chance
A = Substantial evidence or evidence from a high tier (tier 1)
B = Moderate evidence or evidence from a moderate tier (tier 2)
C = Minimal evidence or evidence from a lower tier (tier 3 or 4)
D = Poor evidence or evidence not provided in the report
N = Evidence based on expert contributions (tier 5)
Effectiveness: What is the effectiveness of a specific intervention in preventing or diminishing the risk of harm? 3 = Highly effective
2 = Moderately effective
1 = Minimally effective
0 = Controversial or unknown effectiveness
IN = Ineffective/No interventiona
A = Substantial evidence or evidence from a high tier (tier 1)
B = Moderate evidence or evidence from a moderate tier (tier 2)
C = Minimal evidence or evidence from a lower tier (tier 3 or 4)
D = Poor evidence or evidence not provided in the report
N = Evidence based on expert contributions (tier 5)
Nature of intervention: How risky, medically burdensome, or intensive is the intervention? 3 = Low risk, or medically acceptable and low intensity
2 = Moderate risk, moderately acceptable or intensive
1 = Greater risk, less acceptable and substantial intensity
0 = High risk, poorly acceptable or intensive
N/A
a Do not score the remaining categories

Prevalence of the Genetic Condition

Robust prevalence estimates for Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) are not available because of its rarity, the lack of comprehensive clinical phenotype ascertainment and the fact that there are no population-based molecular studies. However, estimates of the population prevalence suggest the frequency of JPS may be similar to that of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome suggesting a frequency of around 1:50,000, although it may be as low as 1:120,000.
View Citations

Cairns SR, et al. (2010) PMID: 20427401

Clinical Features (Signs / symptoms)

JPS is characterized by predisposition to hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. Histological differences and topographical distribution within the gastrointestinal tract serve to distinguish between JPS and Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome. The number of polyps in individuals with JPS varies, with dozens to many hundreds of polyps present in the fully developed syndrome. A combined syndrome of JPS and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) (termed JPS/HHT) is present in most individuals with an SMAD4 pathogenic variant. [Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is addressed in a separate report]
View Citations

Cairns SR, et al. (2010) PMID: 20427401, Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574, J Larsen Haidle, et al. (2003) NCBI: NBK1469

Natural History (Important subgroups & survival / recovery)

The term 'juvenile' refers to the polyp type rather than to the age of onset, although most individuals with JPS have some polyps by 20 years of age. JPS usually manifests during childhood with polyps beginning to appear in the first decade of life. The average age at diagnosis is 18.5 years, but may be later, with rectal bleeding with anemia as the most common presenting symptom.

Most juvenile polyps are benign; however, malignant transformation can occur. In those who develop cancer, the mean age of colon cancer is 34 years, with a range of 15 to 68 years and the median age of upper GI cancer is 58 years with a range of 21 to 73 years.
View Citations

Cairns SR, et al. (2010) PMID: 20427401, Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574, J Larsen Haidle, et al. (2003) NCBI: NBK1469

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.

Mode of Inheritance

Autosomal Dominant

Prevalence of Genetic Variants

Unknown
No estimates were identified for the prevalence of SMAD4 or BMPR1A mutations. Up to 60% of individuals with a clinically defined JPS are found to exhibit mutations of the SMAD4 or BMPR1A genes.
Tier 3 View Citations

Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574

Penetrance (Includes any high-risk racial or ethnic subgroups)

>= 40 %
No studies have examined the proportion of individuals with known germline pathogenic variants for JPS who develop polyps. It is expected to be higher than 90%.
Tier 4 View Citations

J Larsen Haidle, et al. (2003) NCBI: NBK1469

>= 40 %
Estimates for the risk of colorectal cancer range from 10-68%, though a more recent synthesis estimates a range of 38-68%.
Tier 3 View Citations

Cairns SR, et al. (2010) PMID: 20427401, Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574, J Larsen Haidle, et al. (2003) NCBI: NBK1469

>= 40 %
An estimated 21% of patients with JPS will develop upper gastrointestinal cancer.
Tier 3 View Citations

Cairns SR, et al. (2010) PMID: 20427401, Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574

Relative Risk (Includes any high-risk racial or ethnic subgroups)

Unknown
The relative risk of developing colorectal cancer was found to be 34.0 (14.4 to 65.7).
Tier 3 View Citations

J Larsen Haidle, et al. (2003) NCBI: NBK1469

Expressivity

The number of polyps in individuals with JPS varies. Some individuals may have only four or five polyps over their lifetime; others in the same family may have more than 100.
Tier 4 View Citations

J Larsen Haidle, et al. (2003) NCBI: NBK1469

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.

Patient Management

To determine the extent of disease, a baseline evaluation of patients should include a clinical history, complete blood count, colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy.
Tier 3 View Citations

J Larsen Haidle, et al. (2003) NCBI: NBK1469

Colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis or proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is indicated for polyp-related symptoms, or when the polyps cannot be managed endoscopically. One case series reported on long-term outcomes of colonic surgery in 13 patients presenting with symptomatic colon polyps (median age at diagnosis=10 years, range=1-50 years). Eight patients had their rectum removed during the study period; 5 had an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, one had a Koch pouch as a restorative surgery, and 2 had an end ileostomy. No relation was observed between the number of colonic and rectal polyps and the type of surgery or the need for proctectomy. Patients were followed up a median of 3 years (range=2-24 years) after their ultimate operations. During this period, one patient (20%) who underwent restorative proctectomy and 4 patients (80%) whose rectums were preserved required multiple endoscopic polypectomies for recurrent polyps in the pouch (first patient) or their rectums (the other 4 patients). The patient who underwent the Koch procedure required surgery for recurrent polyps in her pouch.
Tier 2 View Citations

Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574

Surveillance

Colonoscopy is recommended in patients with JPS. Recommended starting age ranges across guidelines from 12-18, while frequency ranges from annually to every 3 years. The frequency of screening may be determined by the findings of the previous endoscopy, and may be extended to longer intervals after age 35. There are no comparative studies to demonstrate the potential benefit of screening; however, there is substantial risk of CRC in JPS patients. The life-time risk of CRC death in JPS patients not undergoing surveillance is estimated to be as high as 1 in 6. One retrospective review of a registry of 44 patients with JPS undergoing routine surveillance (380 patient-years follow up) of the upper and lower GI tract has reported surveillance results. Screening detected 767 polyps and 20 adenomatous polyps. Five patients were identified requiring colorectal surgery. Two patients developed colorectal cancer while undergoing surveillance. However, given the lack of a control group it is unclear how many of these patients would have been detected clinically without undergoing surveillance.
Tier 2 View Citations

Cairns SR, et al. (2010) PMID: 20427401, Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574, National Comprehensive Cancer Network,. (2017) URL: www.nccn.org., (2015) URL: www.sign.ac.uk.

Upper endoscopy is also recommended in patients with JPS. Recommended starting age ranges across guidelines from 12-25 years, while frequency ranges from annually to every 3 years. The frequency of screening is determined by the findings of the previous endoscopy, and may be extended to longer intervals after age 35. The risk of gastric and duodenal cancer in JPS is around 15-21%. Among the retrospective registry of JPS patients, gastrodueodenal polyps were found in 37% of patients and two patients were identified with adenomatous polyps of the stomach. Two patients were identified requiring gastrectomy. One patient developed cancer while undergoing surveillance. However, given the lack of a control group it is unclear how many of these patients would have been detected clinically without undergoing surveillance.
Tier 2 View Citations

Cairns SR, et al. (2010) PMID: 20427401, Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574, National Comprehensive Cancer Network,. (2017) URL: www.nccn.org., (2015) URL: www.sign.ac.uk.

Periodic enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy and/or CT enterography may be used for surveillance of the small intestine.
Tier 2 View Citations

Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574, National Comprehensive Cancer Network,. (2017) URL: www.nccn.org.

A case series of small-bowel capsule endoscopy of ten adults (median age 39.2 years) with documented JPS identified 2 patients that had small-bowel polyps beyond the range of standard gastroscopy identified at capsule endoscopy. Duodenal polyps were detected in a third patient at capsule endoscopy not previously detected by standard gastroscopy. However, given the lack of a control group it is unclear how many of these patients would have been detected clinically without undergoing surveillance.
Tier 5 View Citations

Postgate AJ, et al. (2009) PMID: 19816839

Circumstances to Avoid

None identified.

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.

Nature of Intervention

Identified interventions include upper and lower gastrointestinal surveillance.
Context: Adult

Chance to Escape Clinical Detection

The average age at diagnosis is 18.5 years, but may be later, with rectal bleeding with anemia as the most common presenting symptom.
Context: Adult
Tier 3 View Citations

Syngal S, et al. (2015) PMID: 25645574

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.
Gene Condition Associations
OMIM Identifier Primary MONDO Identifier Additional MONDO Identifiers

References List

Cairns SR, Scholefield JH, Steele RJ, Dunlop MG, Thomas HJ, Evans GD, Eaden JA, Rutter MD, Atkin WP, Saunders BP, Lucassen A, Jenkins P, Fairclough PD, Woodhouse CR. (2010) Guidelines for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance in moderate and high risk groups (update from 2002). Gut. 59(5):666-89.

Diagnosis and Management of Colorectal Cancer. SIGN (2015) URL: http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign126.pdf

J Larsen Haidle, JR Howe. Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome. (2003) [Updated Dec 03 2015]. In: RA Pagon, MP Adam, HH Ardinger, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2026. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1469/

National Comprehensive Cancer Network,. Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal (version 3.2017). Other (2017) URL: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/genetics_colon.pdf

Postgate AJ, Will OC, Fraser CH, Fitzpatrick A, Phillips RK, Clark SK. (2009) Capsule endoscopy for the small bowel in juvenile polyposis syndrome: a case series. Endoscopy. 41(11):1001-4.

Syngal S, Brand RE, Church JM, Giardiello FM, Hampel HL, Burt RW. (2015) ACG clinical guideline: Genetic testing and management of hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes. The American journal of gastroenterology. 110(2):223-62; quiz 263.

Early Rule-Out Summary

This topic passed the early rule out stage

Findings of Early Rule-Out Assessment

  1. Is there a qualifying resource, such as a practice guideline or systematic review, for the genetic condition?
  2. Does the practice guideline or systematic review indicate that the result is actionable in one or more of the following ways?
  3. a. Patient Management

    b. Surveillance or Screening

    c. Circumstances to Avoid

  4. Is it actionable in an undiagnosed adult with the condition?
  5. Is this condition an important health problem?
  6. Is there at least on known pathogenic variant with at least moderate penetrance (≥40%) or moderate relative risk (≥2) in any population?