American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) Practice Exam

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a genetic condition that leads to the development of hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine. Hamartomatous polyps are characterized by an excessive but localized overgrowth of normal tissue components, which include smooth muscle, connective tissue, and epithelial cells.

In Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, these polyps are not cancerous but can cause complications such as obstruction or intussusception due to their size and location. Additionally, individuals with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome have an increased risk of developing various types of cancers, but the polyps themselves are not malignant at the outset.

This condition is also associated with distinctive mucocutaneous pigmentation, and understanding the nature of the polyps helps inform management and surveillance strategies for associated malignancies. The distinction between hamartomatous and other types of polyps, like adenomatous or hyperplastic polyps, is crucial in the context of colorectal cancer screening and familial syndromes.