Lynch Syndrome and Cancer

How Lynch Syndrome May Increase Your Risk of Cancer

Lynch syndrome is an genetic condition that increases a person's risk of cancer, especially colon cancer. Also known as HNPCC (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer), lynch syndrome primarily affects the digestive tract, but also increases the risk of of ovarian and endometrial cancer in women. Although the name HNPCC may sound like a type of colon cancer, it is not. It is simply a rare inherited disorder caused by mutated genes that increases your risk of some types of cancer.

People who suffer from Lynch syndrome are not only at a greater risk of developing certain types of cancer, they also do so at a younger age than those at an average risk. For example, most people with colon cancer develop the disease after age 60, but people with Lynch syndrome usually develop the disease by age 45. While the rateof people with Lynch syndrome developing cancer is extremely high, some people do not develop cancer. This, however, does not discount the need for early and frequent cancer screening tests.

Cancer Screening and Lynch Syndrome

For people with this syndrome, cancer screening tests are frequent and performed earlier than in the general population. Typically, people with the genetic disorder undergo a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer at age 20 and every two years after. Once they reach age 30 to 40, annual screening is recommended.

People who have a family history of gastrointestinal cancer related to Lynch syndrome may undergo endoscopic examination on a regular basis to check for cancer. Typically, screening for gastrointestinal cancers begin when people are in their 30s, but may be recommended earlier or later depending on family/personal health history. Women with Lynch syndrome may undergo additional cancer screening tests. Uterine biopsies to detect endometrial cancer may begin at age 30 on an annual basis. Ultrasound examinations to screen for ovarian cancer are also an important screening tool to look for ovarian cancer.

Genetic Counseling and Lynch Syndrome

Your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor if you experience the following:

• family history of colon, endometrial, ovarian, stomach, or other types of cancer
  
• family history of cancer being diagnosed at an earlier age than most people, especially colon cancer and endometrial cancer

These factors are suspicious of Lynch syndrome, but not a guarantee. A genetic counselor can investigate family and personal health history and determine the risk of having Lynch syndrome and decide whether genetic testing is beneficial. He or she also can calculate your risk of developing these familial types of cancer and recommend a screening schedule based on the results.

_Sources:

National Library of Medicine. Lynch Syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. April 2008.
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=lynchsyndrome

U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: Diagnostic Strategies and Their Implications. May 2007.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/hnpcctp.htm