Adenocarcinoma and polyposis of the colon in a 20-year-old patient with Trisomy 13: a case report

BACKGROUND: Trisomy 13 is one of the most common autosomal trisomies, and although increasing in number, patients surviving past the neonatal period remain rare. The natural history and expected complications in these patients as they age remains unknown. Despite the rarity of this condition, unusual malignancies have been reported in the medical literature for decades. It is clear that providers should suspect unusual malignancies in these patients, particularly as they age. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 20-year-old Caucasian woman with Trisomy 13 who presented with colonic volvulus, found to have colonic polyposis and adenocarcinoma of the colon. Genetics of pathology specimens revealed 47(XX) + 13 without other mutations. She underwent prophylactic completion colectomy due to presumed risk of colorectal cancers given underlying adenomatous polyposis. She has recovered well without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of colonic polyposis and colorectal cancer without family history or known mutations for polyposis syndrome suggests an intrinsic predisposition toward colorectal cancer in this patient with Trisomy 13. Recent research into colorectal cancer oncogenes supports that aneuploidy or increased copy number of certain genes on chromosome 13 may increase the risk of malignant transformation. This is an important correlation for researchers studying these topics and clinicians caring for patients with Trisomy 13 as they age.