Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is characterized by gastrointestinal and ectodermal manifestations. In this paper, we describe a 64-year-old Iranian male, presenting with
Cronkhite-Canada syndrome with metastatic
colon cancer. The patient was suffering from
hair loss, which occurred on the scalp at first and then, during 5 months, extended to the whole body. After that, his sense of taste was impaired, and 2 months later, gastrointestinal symptoms gradually started, with
weight loss of 20 kg over 2 months with an initial weight of 100 kg. Finally, he was admitted to our center 10 months after the onset of symptoms. On skin examination, generalized
hair loss and
hyperpigmentation and dysmorphic nail changes were observed. Multiple
polyps within the colon and sigmoid were observed on colonoscopy. According to biopsies, a serrated
adenoma and an invasive
adenocarcinoma were reported in the ascending colon and sigmoid, respectively. Other
polyps were pseudopolyps, and their characteristics were not significant. Computed tomography of the lungs and abdomen showed multiple
adenopathies. On biopsy, metastatic
adenocarcinoma was reported. The patient underwent
chemotherapy with FOLFIRI and
ERBITUX. Finally, after 5 courses of
chemotherapy, his regimen was changed to FOLFOX and
Avastin because of evidence of progression on computed tomography. The etiology of
Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is currently unknown, and the optimal
therapy has not been reported so far. This syndrome has many complications; the major of them is
malignancy, and the prognosis is poor with a mortality rate of 50%. Therefore, annual monitoring is necessary in these patients.