Q: My son has over a thousand polyps in his stomach that have a real good chance of turning cancerous. I think it is called familial polypopis. I am wondering if any place does stomach transplants. I know you can live without a stomach, but he is only 18 and I would like to give him my stomach so he can live a somewhat normal life. Any information you can send me would be appreciated?

A:I am sorry to hear that your son has familial polyposis coli. Familial polyposis coli is characterized by thousands of polyps in the large bowel (colon). It is transmitted from parents and is associated with a chromosomal abnormality. Children of parents with familial polyposis coli should be screened as they have a 50% chance of developing polyps which become apparent by the age of 25 years. If not treated surgically almost all develop colorectal cancer by the age of 40 years. The treatment is proctocholectomy (removal of the colon and rectum) and there is no role for transplantation. The continuity of intestine can be restored by suturing the small intestine to the anus.