Polyposis by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Familial adenomatous polyposis is an autosomal dominant disorder leading to the development of hundreds of colorectal adenomas and eventual colorectal cancer. These colonic polyposis usually show no symptoms.

Treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis
Regression of adenomas in this syndrome occurs with the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, but these compounds can have considerable side effects. Natural treatment options with curcumin, quercetin and other natural supplements are just being evaluated.

Familial polyposis symptom
Symptoms of familiar colonic polyposis are infrequent but could include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Other types of polyposis
Nasal polyposis
Hamartomatous intestinal polyposis
Gastric polyposis
Juvenile polyposis

Curcumin and quercetin for Familial adenomatous polyposis
It is exiting to discover that natural supplements could be helpful in the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis. Two supplements that have been studied are curcumin and quercetin.

Combination treatment with curcumin and quercetin of adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Aug;4(8):1035-8. Cruz-Correa M, et al. Department of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, Florida, USA.
We evaluated the efficacy of the combination of diet-derived nonprescription supplements curcumin and quercetin to regress adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Five familial adenomatous polyposis patients with prior colectomy (4 with retained rectum and 1 with an ileal anal pouch) received curcumin 480 mg and quercetin 20 mg orally 3 times a day. The number and size of polyps were assessed at baseline and after therapy. All 5 patients had a decreased polyp number and size from baseline after a mean of 6 months of treatment with curcumin and quercetin. The mean percent decrease in the number and size of polyps from baseline was 60 and 50, respectively. Minimal adverse side effects and no laboratory abnormalities were noted. The combination of curcumin and quercetin appears to reduce the number and size of ileal and rectal adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis without appreciable toxicity.