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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffLynch syndrome is a rare inherited condition that increases your risk of colon cancer and other cancers. Lynch syndrome has historically been known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
A number of inherited syndromes can increase your risk of colon cancer, but Lynch syndrome is the most common. Doctors estimate that 3 out of every 100 colon cancers are caused by Lynch syndrome.
Families that have Lynch syndrome usually have more cases of colon cancer than would typically be expected. Lynch syndrome also causes colon cancer to occur at an earlier age than it might in the general population.
- Genetics of colorectal cancer (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/genetics/colorectal/healthprofessional. Accessed Dec. 16, 2009.
- Lindor NM, et al. Concise handbook of familial cancer susceptibility syndromes. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs. 2008;38:1.
- Lynch HT, et al. Review of the Lynch syndrome: History, molecular genetics, screening, differential diagnosis and medicolegal ramifications. Clinical Genetics. 2009;76:1.
- Lindor NM, et al. Recommendations for the care of individuals with an inherited predisposition to Lynch syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:1507.
- Offit K, et al. Genetic factors: Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:180.
- Koornstra JK, et al. Management of extracolonic tumours in patients with Lynch syndrome. Lancet Oncology. 2009;10:400.
- Making sense of your genes: A guide to genetic counseling. National Society of Genetic Counselors. http://www.nsgc.org/client_files/GuidetoGeneticCounseling.pdf. Accessed Dec. 16, 2009.
- Lindor NM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 19, 2009.
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