Lynch Syndrome

Overview

Mayo Clinic operates one of the largest colon cancer treatment centers in the world, with particular experience and expertise in rare, inherited conditions such as Lynch syndrome (also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC).

At Mayo Clinic, patients at risk of hereditary colon diseases work with an integrated team of experts, including gastroenterologists, oncologists, colorectal surgeons and medical geneticists. Because Lynch syndrome not only increases the risk of colon cancer but also of cancers outside the colon, specialists from several fields collaborate with the primary team to provide the most comprehensive care possible. The clinic also offers ongoing educational programs to help patients and families affected by Lynch syndrome learn more about the disease.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 in Digestive Disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

Diagnosis

Discovering the inherited mutations that cause Lynch syndrome is essential for preventing cancer in at-risk individuals and families. Mayo Clinic physicians use advanced screening and diagnostic methods, including tumor and genetic testing, to help detect gene mutations long before cancer occurs. They also closely monitor patients for colon polyps and for cancers that occur outside the colon. Read more about Lynch syndrome screening and diagnosis at Mayo Clinic.

Treatment

Removing precancerous colon polyps is the first line of defense against colorectal cancer. When tumors have already developed, Mayo Clinic surgeons often remove the entire colon using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques. This approach leads to a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain and a faster recovery. Mayo Clinic surgeons have built one of the largest and most experienced minimally invasive surgery practices in the United States, performing thousands of procedures each year. Read more about Lynch syndrome treatment at Mayo Clinic.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota

About

Lynch syndrome is a rare, inherited condition that increases your risk of colorectal and other cancers at an early age. People living with Lynch syndrome have a 60 to 80 percent chance of developing colon cancer before age 45. Women who have the disorder also have a high lifetime risk of endometrial cancer. To a lesser degree, Lynch syndrome also increases your risk of cancers of the ovaries, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, urinary system and bladder, skin, liver and bile ducts, pancreas, and brain.

Learn more about Lynch syndrome.