Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare, nonheritable condition marked by gastrointestinal polyposis, diarrhea, and ectodermal changes such as hair loss and nail atrophy. This report discusses a 72-year-old woman with CCS, whose symptoms improved significantly with prednisone and nutritional support. The literature review highlights the varied clinical manifestations, including alopecia, and classifies CCS into five types based on initial symptoms. Despite treatment options like corticosteroids, the prognosis remains poor, with a 5-year mortality rate of up to 55%. A study of 383 patients showed that 91 had concurrent tumors, stressing the importance of long-term endoscopic follow-up. While steroids effectively control inflammation, the rarity of CCS limits the generalizability of findings, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and sustained treatment to prevent complications.