Gardner's syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.

It usually causes what start out to be benign or

noncancerous growths. It’s classified as a subtype of familial adenomatous polyposis, which over
time causes colon cancer.
Gardner’s syndrome can lead to growths on various areas of the body. Tumors are most commonly
found in the colon, sometimes in large numbers. They tend to increase with age. In addition to
polyps on the colon, growths can develop, including fibromas, desmoid tumors, and sebaceous cysts,
which are fluid-filled growths under the skin. Eye lesions can also occur on the retina in someone
who has Gardner’s syndrome.
What causes Gardner's syndrome?
The syndrome is a genetic condition, which means it’s inherited. The adenomatous polyposis coli
(APC) gene mediates the production of APC protein. The APC protein regulates cell growth by
preventing cells from dividing too fast or in a disorderly way. People with Gardner's syndrome have
a defect in the APC gene. This leads to abnormal tissue growth. What causes the mutation of this
gene has not been determined.
Who is at risk for Gardner's syndrome?
The main risk factor for developing Gardner’s syndrome is having at least one parent with the
condition. A spontaneous mutation in the APC gene is a much less common occurrence.
Symptoms of Gardner's syndrome
Common symptoms of this condition include:
 growths in the colon
 development of extra teeth
 bony tumors on the skull and other bones
 cysts under the skin
The main symptom of Gardner’s syndrome is multiple growths in the colon. The growths are also
known as polyps. Although the number of growths varies, they can be in the hundreds.
In addition to growths on the colon, extra teeth can develop, along with bony tumors on the skull.
Another common symptom of Gardner’s syndrome is cysts, which can form under the skin on
various parts of the body. Fibromas and epithelial cysts are common. People with the syndrome also
have a much higher risk of colon cancer.