July 10, 2009:Lynch syndrome, often called hereditary
nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is a type of inherited cancer of the
digestive tract, particularly the colon (large intestine) and rectum. People
with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, small
intestine, liver, gallbladder ducts, upper urinary tract, brain, skin, and
prostate. Women with this disorder also have a high risk of cancer of the
endometrium (lining of the uterus) and ovaries. Even though the disorder was
originally described as not involving noncancerous (benign) growths (polyps) in
the colon, people with Lynch syndrome may occasionally have colon polyps. In
individuals with this disorder, colon polyps occur at an earlier age than in the
general population. Although the polyps do not occur in greater numbers than in
the general population, they are more likely to become cancerous.
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