Review Note

What is Lynch syndrome?  

Also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), it is a an autosomal {{c1::dominant}} genetic condition that is associated with a high risk of {{c1::colorectal}}, {{c1::endometrial}}, {{c1::gastric}} and {{c1::ovarian}} cancers, amongst others. It is due to mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes ({{c2::MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM}}). Patients present with one or more of the above malignancies, often at a relatively young age (median {{c1::40-60 years}}).