What is the Lynch syndrome?
Lynch syndrome (HNPCC or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer ) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition that has a high risk of colon cancer as well as other cancers including endometrial cancer (second most common), ovary, stomach, small intestine, hepatobiliary tract, upper urinary tract, brain, and skin.
What is hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer?
HNPCC is a condition in which the tendency to develop colorectal cancer is inherited. “Nonpolyposis” means that colorectal cancer can occur when only a small number of polyps are present (or polyps are not present at all). In families with HNPCC, cancer usually occurs on the right side of the colon.
Is Colon Cancer Hereditary?
The two most common inherited colorectal cancer syndromes are hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). They can affect either sex, and the children of people who carry these genes have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease-causing gene.
Is cancer a genetic disease?
When tumor suppressor genes don't work properly, cells can grow out of control, which can lead to cancer. Many family cancer syndromes are caused by inherited defects of tumor suppressor genes. Someone who isn't born with a bad copy of a gene would have to acquire two different mutations for that gene not to work.