Gastrointestinal Polyposis with Protein-Losing Enteropathy, Abnormal Skin Pigmentation, and Loss of Hair and Nails (Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome)
September 1969
in “
The American journal of medicine
”
TLDR Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome often leads to death within 6-18 months.
Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome, described in 1955, involved gastrointestinal polyposis, abnormal skin pigmentation, alopecia, and nail atrophy, with no family history. A study of 10 cases, including a 64-year-old male, showed the syndrome was often fatal within 6-18 months. Hypoproteinemia was due to protein loss in the gastrointestinal tract, confirmed by abnormal fecal excretion of labeled proteins. Ectodermal changes were linked to nutrient malabsorption or the syndrome itself. Histopathology showed benign adenomatous polyps without malignancy.