Long-term treatment with sulindac in familial adenomatous polyposis: Is there an actual efficacy in prevention of rectal cancer?

Background and Objectives: Ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) is still used in th e treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Sulindac appears to in duce regression of colorectal adenomas; however, its effects in longterm th erapy and in preventing carcinoma remain unclear. Methods: Fifteen FAP patients treated by IRA received sulindac (200 mg/day) for a mean period of 48.6 +/- 28.7 (range 12-124) months. Number, size, an d type of rectal polyps were assessed by endoscopic and histological evalua tion every 6 months. Results: Significant regression of polyps was observed in all patients afte r 6 months: (P < 0.02). However, after a mean of 48.6 +/- 28.7 months, both number and size of polyps increased again, showing no statistical differen ce with baseline values. Minute polyps appeared reddish, while the largest lesions were flat or slightly elevated. Endoscopic polypectomy was necessar y in 9 patients and transanal surgical excision in 3. Two patients were sub mitted to restorative proctectomy because of a large polyp with severe dysp lasia and a rectal cancer, respectively. Conclusions: Sulindac appears to influence the morphological appearence of polyps in FAP patients, inducing apparent regression. However, at a dose of 200 mg, it does not influence the progression of polyps toward a malignant pattern. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.