What is familial adenomatous polyposis?
A person with familial adenomatous polyposis has a rare inherited condition that causes numerous intestinal polyps to form inside the large intestine. Most of the polyps do not contain cancer, but over time colon cancer occurs in 100% of individuals with this condition.

What are the symptoms of familial adenomatous polyposis?
Signs and symptoms of familial adenomatous polyposis may include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, anemia, weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, and a change in bowel habits.

How does the doctor treat familial adenomatous polyposis?
Since those with familial adenomatous polyposis develop colon cancer by age 40, most individuals undergo surgery to remove the colon, or remove the colon and the rectum. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may slow the progression of intestinal polyps into colon cancer.