Cronkhite-Canada syndrome

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is a so called gastrointestinal polyposis syndrome, a non-inheritable disorder of the digestive tract of unknown cause that results in hair loss and malnutrition. The protuberances of the mucous membrane can develop both into benign and malignant tumors. 

Characteristic are numerous polyps in the digestive system together with changes in the skin, and skin malfunctions such as hair loss, hyperpigmentation and growth disorders of the fingernails and the toenails. In more than half of the cases the small intestine is affected, less often the esophagus is involved.

Key symptoms include watery diarrhea with a volume of 4-6l, loss of taste and appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain and a general feeling of weakness.

The disease has been reported in about 500 cases and occurs mainly in patients of Japanese descent and more often in males than females (2: 1). The disease manifests itself in later adulthood (mostly in patients over 50 years).

The mortality is high due to anemia caused by the diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding and congestive heart failure or infection. The survival rate is dependant on an adequate and sometimes a prolonged intensive care. More than half of the patients experience a remission of the symptoms.