MORPHOGENESIS OF THE GASTRIC POLYP IN PEUTZ-JEGHERS SYNDROME

Abstract

We reported a histopathological study on morphogenesis of the gastric polyp in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Samples were obtained from multiple gastric polyps of two patients presenting with this disorder. One sample was prepared during autopsy of a 26-year-old female who died of ovarian carcinoma; the other was from the excised stomach of a 59-year-old male. Polyps in the samples were grossly measured and classified into 3 groups according to the size: Group A consisted of 228 polyps 2mm or less in diameter, Group B of 24 polyps less than 5mm in diameter, and Group C of 25 polyps 5mm or larger. A total of 277 polyps treated with hematoxylin-eosin stain, or azan-Mallory and alucian blue stains when necessary, were subjected to histological observation. Polyps in Group A were characterized by epithelial hyperplasia of the gastric pits; those in Group B by upward displasia of the submucosal vessels and cystic dilation in gastric ducts besides the findings in Group B. These were typical histological features of polyps in P-J syndrome. The above observations suggest a transition of polyps in P-J syndrome from the initial epithelial hyperplasia of the gastric pits, followed by the increase in bifurcations of the submucosal muscles, to typical polyps found in P-J syndrome.