Understanding Hereditary Cancer Risk
Mid-Florida Pathology recognizes the important role of genetics in understanding hereditary cancer syndromes. Genetic abnormalities can contribute to an increased risk of developing certain cancers and may provide valuable information for patients, families, and their healthcare providers.
What Is Lynch Syndrome?
Lynch syndrome, historically known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an inherited cancer-predisposition syndrome associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and several other malignancies.
Individuals with Lynch syndrome may have an increased risk of developing cancers involving the endometrium, ovary, stomach, small intestine, hepatobiliary tract, upper urinary tract, brain, and skin, in addition to colorectal cancer.
Lynch syndrome follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, meaning a person who carries a disease-causing genetic variant has a 50% chance of passing that variant to each child.
What Is Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer?
Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is the historical term commonly associated with Lynch syndrome. Unlike hereditary conditions characterized by the development of numerous colorectal polyps, individuals with Lynch syndrome may develop colorectal cancer without extensive polyposis.
Recognition of a hereditary predisposition can be important in assessing cancer risk and guiding appropriate clinical management for affected individuals and their families.
Is Colon Cancer Hereditary?
Most colorectal cancers are not caused by an inherited cancer syndrome; however, some individuals inherit genetic variants that significantly increase their risk.
Two well-recognized inherited colorectal cancer syndromes are Lynch syndrome (HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). These hereditary conditions can affect both men and women.
Because these syndromes can be passed from one generation to the next, identifying hereditary risk may have important implications not only for the individual patient but also for biological family members.
Is Cancer a Genetic Disease?
Cancer is fundamentally a disease involving changes in genes that regulate normal cell growth, division, and survival.
Certain genes normally help control cell proliferation or prevent abnormal cells from growing. When critical genetic alterations disrupt these regulatory mechanisms, cells may begin to grow uncontrollably and eventually develop into cancer.
Some cancer-associated genetic changes are inherited, while others are acquired during a person’s lifetime. In hereditary cancer syndromes, an individual is born with a disease-causing genetic variant that increases susceptibility to developing certain cancers.
Our Commitment
Mid-Florida Pathology is committed to supporting physicians and patients with clinically meaningful genetic information that contributes to informed cancer risk assessment and patient care.
Understanding genetics. Identifying hereditary risk. Supporting informed patient care.