SMAD4 gene

Associated Syndrome Name: Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)

SMAD4 Summary Cancer Risk Table

Cancer Genetic Cancer Risk
ColorectalHigh Risk
GastricHigh Risk
OtherHigh Risk

SMAD4 gene Overview

Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Individuals with SMAD4 mutations have both juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).
  • Patients with JPS have a high risk for cancer as a result of hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal system, particularly in the colon, rectum and stomach. The presence of these polyps is associated with a high risk for colorectal cancer, and can cause bleeding leading to anemia.
  • Patients with JPS also have an elevated risk for small bowel cancer.
  • This patient also has hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), which is associated with a high risk for life-threatening arteriovenous malformations of the lungs, brain and liver, as well as nosebleeds.
  • Recent studies suggest that patients with SMAD4 mutations have an increased risk for connective tissue disorders such as thoracic aortic disease, brain aneurysm, and lax skin and joints. The data for this are not yet conclusive and there are currently no medical management recommendations associated with connective tissue disorders for carriers of SMAD4 mutations.
  • Although there are high risks for cancer in patients with JPS, and high risks for life-threatening complications from the arteriovenous malformations found in patients with HHT, these risks can be greatly reduced with appropriate medical management. Guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the HHT Foundation are listed below. It is recommended that patients with SMAD4 mutations and diagnoses of JPS and HHT be managed by a multidisciplinary team with experience in the prevention and treatment of the complications associated with these conditions.

SMAD4 gene Cancer Risk Table

Cancer Type Age Range Cancer Risk Risk for General Population
ColorectalTo age 422, 620%-25%<0.2%
To age 802, 5, 640%-50%2.8%
GastricTo age 805, 6Up to 21%0.6%
Small BowelTo age 802, 5, 6Rare, but elevated risk0.2%
Other - hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)All ages1HHT is associated with a high risk for life threatening arteriovenous malformations of the lungs, brain and liver as well as nosebleeds.NA

SMAD4 Cancer Risk Management Table

The overview of medical management options provided is a summary of professional society guidelines. The most recent version of each guideline should be consulted for more detailed and up-to-date information before developing a treatment plan for a particular patient.

This overview is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation. While the medical society guidelines summarized herein provide important and useful information, medical management decisions for any particular patient should be made in consultation between that patient and his or her healthcare provider and may differ from society guidelines based on a complete understanding of the patient’s personal medical history, surgeries and other treatments.

Cancer Type Procedure Age to Begin Frequency
(Unless otherwise indicated by findings)
ColorectalColonoscopy5, 7, 812 to 15 years, or earlier if symptoms are presentEvery 1 to 3 years, depending on age and findings
Monitor for rectal bleeding and/or anemia.3, 7, 815 years, or earlier if symptoms are presentAnnually
GastricUpper endoscopy5, 8, 912 to 15 yearsEvery 1 to 3 years, depending on age and findings
Small BowelCapsule endoscopy7, 815 yearsEvery 1 to 2 years
Other - hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)Multiple screenings recommended, which may include brain MRI, contrast echocardiogram, and chest CT.1Some screenings are recommended within the first 6 months of life or at time of diagnosisVaries

Information for Family Members

The following information for Family Members will appear as part of the MMT for a patient found to have a mutation in the SMAD4 gene.

This patient's relatives are at risk for carrying the same mutation(s) and associated cancer risks as this patient. Cancer risks for females and males who have this/these mutation(s) are provided below.

Family members should talk to a healthcare provider about genetic testing. Close relatives such as parents, children, brothers and sisters have the highest chance of having the same mutation(s) as this patient. Other more distant relatives such as cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents also have a chance of carrying the same mutation(s). Testing of at-risk relatives can identify those family members with the same mutation(s) who may benefit from surveillance and early intervention.

Since SMAD4 mutations carry a risk for complications in children and some screenings are recommended to begin in infancy, mutation testing should occur within the first 6 months after birth.5

References

  1. Faughnan ME, et al. Second International Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia. Ann Intern Med. 2020 173(12):989-1001. PMID: 32894695.
  2. Howe JR, et al. The risk of gastrointestinal carcinoma in familial juvenile polyposis. Ann Surg Oncol. 1998 5:751-6. PMID: 9869523.
  3. Larsen Haidle J, et al. Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome. 2022 Feb 3. In: Adam MP, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. PMID: 20301642.
  4. O'Malley M, et al. The prevalence of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in juvenile polyposis syndrome. Dis Colon Rectum. 2012 55:886-892. PMID: 22810475.
  5. Gupta S, et al. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology® Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal. V 1.2023. May 30. Available at https://www.nccn.org.
  6. SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute. [Cited 2023 Mar 24]. Available from https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/.
  7. Achatz MI, et al. Cancer Screening Recommendations and Clinical Management of Inherited Gastrointestinal Cancer Syndromes in Childhood. Clin Cancer Res. 2017 23:e107-e114. PMID: 28674119.
  8. Boland CR, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Cancer Risk in the Gastrointestinal Hamartomatous Polyposis Syndromes: Recommendations From the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology. 2022 162(7):2063-2085. PMID: 35487791.
  9. Ajani JA, et al. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology®: Gastric Cancer. V 1.2023. Mar 10. Available at https://www.nccn.org.
Last Updated on 31-Jan-2024