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. This includes cancers of the colon 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 an increased risk of cancer of the ovaries and the 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 40s or 50s.
Variants that cause a disease or increase the risk for a disease are sometimes called pathogenic variants. Pathogenic variants in the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, or EPCAM genes can cause Lynch syndrome.
In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 279 individuals have a genetic variant (also known as a mutation) that is associated with Lynch syndrome.
Lynch syndrome is typically inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase the risk of cancer. Although people with Lynch syndrome have a higher risk of cancer, not all people with Lynch syndrome will develop cancer.
John Hopper practices in Carlton, Australia. Mr. Hopper is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lynch Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Lynch Syndrome, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer, Oophorectomy, and Salpingo-Oophorectomy.
Lumc
Hans Vasen practices in Leiden, Netherlands. Mr. Vasen is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Lynch Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Lynch Syndrome, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
Matthew Yurgelun is an Oncologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Yurgelun 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, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy.
Summary: The investigators have developed an inexpensive tool to take pictures in the lower GI tract without sedation and to look for signs of disease. The tool is a capsule, about the size of a fish oil or multi-vitamin supplement, attached to a string. The capsule and string are connected to a motor to allow the capsule to advance up the participant's lower GI tract. The capsule will be inserted into the...
Summary: NOTE: This is a research study and is not meant to be a substitute for clinical genetic testing. Families may never receive results from the study or may receive results many years from the time they enroll. If you are interested in clinical testing please consider seeing a local genetic counselor or other genetics professional. If you have already had clinical genetic testing and meet eligibility...
Published Date: April 15, 2021
Published By: National Institutes of Health