What is MYH-associated polyposis?
MYH-associated polyposis (MAP) is a hereditary condition. People with MAP tend to develop multiple adenomatous colon polyps during their lifetime and will have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. An adenomatous polyp is an area where the normal cells that line the inside of the colon and make mucous form a mass. A polyp is benign (noncancerous) but can eventually turn malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). It is also likely that people with MAP will develop polyps and colorectal cancer at a relatively young age, in their 20s to 50s. MAP has only recently been described, and there is much to be learned about the condition. MAP appears to be similar to other hereditary conditions of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis(AFAP). It is currently unknown if people with MAP have an increased risk of polyps or cancer in other parts of the digestive tract, such as the stomach or small intestine. What causes MAP?
