Serum gastrin values in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis

An evaluation of the importance of gastrin in the colorectal carcinogenesis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis was conducted. Blood samples from 168 family members of 26 families were investigated for circulating gastrin. Blood was drawn from 65 affected patients, 66 clinically unaffected first-degree relatives, and 37 spouses. We did not find any difference in distribution of serum gastrin among these groups. Our results seem to exclude gastrin from being relevant in early carcinogenesis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.