An overview of serrated polyposis and Cowden's syndromes

Abstract

In this article, the authors provide an overview of serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) and Cowden's syndrome (CS). The authors describe the natural history of these syndromes and make recommendations for the screening and management of patients with these conditions. SPS is a condition in which multiple hyperplastic or serrated polyps are identified in the large bowel that, if left untreated, leads to a high risk of bowel cancer development. CS was first recognised in 1962; it is one of the few genetic syndromes that have been named after the first patient described with the condition: Rachel Cowden. The diagnosis of CS is characterised by multiple hamartomatous polyps and increased risk of other cancers.