The St Mark’s Hospital Polyposis Registry

The St Mark’s Polyposis Registry dates back to 1924 when the Consultant Pathologist at St Mark’s, Dr Cuthbert Dukes, was working on his new theory, the adenoma carcinoma sequence. In the course of his search for adenomas he discovered the existence of families with multiple polyps and a family history of bowel cancer. A register of these families was started and continues today, eighty years later.

There are now over seven hundred families registered. Over eight hundred patients, who either have polyposis or who are at risk of inheriting it, are currently monitored at St Mark’s Hospital. The Registry remains the hub for research into the different polyposis syndromes that have been identified over the decades; but in recent years the staff has taken on a more clinical role as well.

The main aims of the Registry are to:

• maximise cancer prevention by early detection and treatment of the polyps
• provide a help-line for patients and their relatives
• provide information about these rare syndromes for patients and staff both nationally and internationally
• maintain a database for research

The main aims of the research are to:

• increase knowledge regarding the natural history of the various polyposis syndromes
• identify the causative genes
• monitor screening programmes
• monitor the different types of surgical treatment
• test other forms of treatment

Tel: 020 8235 4270
Fax: 020 8235 4278