Learn About Lynch Syndrome
Lynch syndrome, often called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an inherited disorder that increases the risk of many types of cancer, particularly cancers of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, which are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer. People with Lynch syndrome also have an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, urinary tract, brain, and skin. Additionally, women with this disorder have a high risk of cancer of the ovaries and lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Women with Lynch syndrome have a higher overall risk of developing cancer than men with the condition because of these cancers of the female reproductive system. In individuals with Lynch syndrome who develop cancer, the cancer typically occurs in their forties or fifties.
Changes in the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, or EPCAM gene have been found in people with Lynch syndrome.
In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 279 individuals have a genetic variant (also known as a mutation) associated with Lynch syndrome.
Lynch syndrome cancer risk is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one inherited copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase cancer risk. It is important to note that people with a variant have an increased risk of cancer; not all people who inherit variants in these genes will develop cancer.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
Matthew Yurgelun is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Yurgelun and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lynch Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Lynch Syndrome, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.
Sigurdis Haraldsdottir is an Oncologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Haraldsdottir has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lynch Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Lynch Syndrome, Colorectal Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, and Stomach Cancer.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
Meredith Faggen is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Faggen and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Lynch Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Angiosarcoma, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and Paget Disease of the Breast.
Summary: The vision of the Lynch syndrome INtegrative Epidemiology And GEnetics (LINEAGE) Consortium is to collaboratively improve the lives and longevity of individuals and families with Lynch syndrome. The mission of the LINEAGE Consortium is to collaboratively improve Lynch syndrome care through high-quality research. This consortium will provide intellectual and infrastructure support to facilitate dev...
Summary: This is a community-based study requiring participant-self-enrollment, that can help to increase the rates of genetic testing among the family members of people who have been diagnosed with a hereditary cancer syndrome. The two main factors in this study are the IGNITE-TX intervention (website and navigator) and the free genetic counseling and testing. The IGNITE-TX Intervention is an innovative m...
Published Date: April 15, 2021
Published By: National Institutes of Health