Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content

Lynch Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome - What is it for

Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer syndrome.


What is Lynch syndrome?

Lynch syndrome is an adult-onset hereditary condition that runs in families. It is associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer as well as other cancers.

Approximately 2-5% of all colorectal cancer cases is associated with a hereditary cancer syndrome.


How common is Lynch syndrome?

Estimates suggest that one in 300 people may carry a faulty copy of a DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene associated with Lynch syndrome.

Approximately, up to 5% of colorectal cancer and 3% of endometrial (uterine) cancer cases are caused by Lynch syndrome.

Causes of colorectal cancer

Sporadic

Largely caused by chance events, driven by age and environmental factors

~75%

Familial / polygenic

A combination of genes and environmental factors resulting in an elevated cancer risk

Up to 30%

Hereditary

There are different hereditary cancer syndromes associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, of which Lynch syndrome is the most common

2-5%

What is hereditary cancer?

Hereditary cancer makes up about 5-10% of all cases of cancer. Some genes function to protect us from cancer. When they are not working well, it causes hereditary cancer. We refer to genes that are not working well as faulty genes.

Individuals who carry a faulty cancer gene(s) have a higher chance of developing certain cancers over their lifetime compared to the general population. The types of cancers that they may be at increased risk of will depend on the gene(s) involved.

If you have a faulty cancer gene, you may be at increased risk of developing certain cancers. As genes are shared among family, other family members may have inherited the faulty gene and may be at increased risk of cancer too.

Hereditary cancer accounts for up to 10% of all cases of cancer.

What is genetic testing?

Genetic testing is offered to individuals where a hereditary cause of their personal and/or family history of cancer is suspected.

Genes contain the instructions that our body reads to carry out different functions. Genetic testing involves analysing your genes to understand if there are faults (i.e., mutations) that may increase the risk of diseases like cancer.

How is genetic testing done?

  • Genetic testing is typically a one-time blood test.
  • If a blood sample cannot be taken, other sample sources (e.g., skin or saliva) may be used.

What are the possible results of genetic testing?

There are 3 types of results you may receive:

Positive Uncertain - Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) Negative
Faulty gene(s) identifiedUncertain gene change(s) identified, unclear if these change(s) increase risk for tumours and cancersNo faulty gene(s) identified
Increased risk of developing certain tumours and cancers (depends on faulty gene(s) involved)May be clarified by testing other family membersTumour and cancer risk is similar to that of general population
Your family (parents, siblings, children and extended relatives) may have inherited the faulty gene(s) and should consider genetic testing to clarify thisMay be reclassified over time as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ when more information is knownTest limitations will be explained in the context of your personal and family history of tumours and cancers


Lynch Syndrome - Symptoms

What are the cancer risks associated with Lynch syndrome?

Lynch syndrome is associated with a faulty (disease-causing) copy of MMR genes, namely MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM.

Individuals who have Lynch syndrome (carriers) face an increased risk of cancers, but it does not mean that they will definitely develop cancer. Carriers face different cancer risks depending on which faulty gene they have.

Cancer risks associated with Lynch syndrome as compared to the general population1-2
Cancer type MLH1 carrier risk MSH2 & EPCAM carrier risk MSH6 carrier risk PMS2 carrier risk General population risk
Colorectal46 - 61%33 - 52%10 - 44%9 - 20%5%
Uterus (endometrial) (females)34 - 54%21 - 57%16 - 49%13 - 26%3%
Ovarian (females)4 - 20%8 - 38%≤ 1 - 13%1 - 3%1.3%
Breast (females)May be increased13%
Prostate (males)4 - 14%4 - 24%3 - 12%5 - 12%12%
Renal pelvis and/or ureter0.2 - 5%2 - 28%0.7 - 6%≤ 1 - 4%–*
Bladder2 - 7%4 - 13%1 - 8%≤ 1 - 2%2.4%
Gastric5 - 7%0.2 - 9%≤ 1 - 8%–*0.9%
Small bowel0.4 - 11%1 - 10%≤ 1 - 4%0.1 - 0.3%0.3%
Pancreas6%0.5 - 2%1.6%≤ 1 - 2%1.6%
Biliary tract2 - 4%0.02 - 2%0.2 - 1%0.2 - 1%0.2%
Brain0.7 - 2%3 - 8%0.8 - 2%0.6 - 1%0.6%

*inadequate data
Note: The conditions associated with Lynch syndrome and their risk estimates may change as more information is available.

References
1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal. Version 1.2020. 2020 July 21; National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
2. Dominguez-Valentin, M. et al (2020). Cancer risks by gene, age, and gender in 6350 carriers of pathogenic mismatch repair variants: findings from the Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database. Genetics in Medicine, 22(1), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41436-019-0596-9


Lynch syndrome increases the risk of cancer in both males and females.

The common cancers in Lynch syndome

  • Urinary tract
  • Stomach
  • Colorectal
  • Pancreas
  • Prostate
  • Ovary and Uterus

Other less common cancers associated with Lynch syndrome are hepatobiliary tract cancer, small bowel cancer, brain cancer, and sebaceous neoplasms (skin cancer).

There are other genes aside from MMR genes that increase the risk of colorectal cancer (e.g., APC, POLE, POLD1, PTEN, CHEK2, MUTYH, NTHL1, MSH3) as part of other genetic conditions. Genetic testing for colorectal cancer will usually include testing of such genes as well.


Lynch Syndrome - How to prevent?

Lynch Syndrome - Causes and Risk Factors

How is Lynch syndrome inherited?

Lynch syndrome follows a dominant inheritance pattern. This means that having one faulty copy of any MMR gene (i.e., MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM) can result in an increased risk of cancer.

Everyone has 2 copies of each gene in their body’s cells:

  • 1 copy comes from our father
  • 1 copy comes from our mother
Dominant inheritance pattern-Lynch Syndrome
  • A parent with a faulty gene(s) has a 50% chance of passing down their faulty gene(s) to their children.
  • A child, sibling or parent of a family member with a faulty gene(s) has a 50% chance of also inheriting the same faulty gene(s).
  • Extended relatives may also inherit the faulty gene(s).


Lynch Syndrome - Diagnosis

Who should undergo genetic testing for Lynch syndrome?

Occasionally, tumour or cancer testing may reveal results that can help guide if Lynch syndrome testing is needed for you. These tumour tests include:

  1. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing for MMR proteins
    • IHC testing can determine which MMR proteins are present or absent within the tumour
    • The absence or loss of any MMR proteins is suggestive of Lynch syndrome and genetic testing may be offered to you
  2. Microsatellite instability (MSI) testing
    • Microsatellites are regions of repeated DNA that show instability if the MMR proteins do not function properly
    • MSI testing evaluates for the presence of functional MMR proteins
    • Tumours that are MSI-high (i.e., high microsatellite instability) are suggestive of Lynch syndrome and genetic testing may be offered to you

You may be recommended to undergo additional tests to determine if genetic testing is needed for you.


Your personal and/or family history of cancer can also help guide if genetic testing for Lynch syndrome is needed. If you or your family members meet one or more of the following criteria, you can consider genetic testing:

  • Colorectal/uterine cancer diagnosed at or under the age of 50
  • Colorectal/uterine cancer diagnosed with loss of MMR proteins on IHC tumour testing
  • Colorectal/uterine cancer diagnosed with MSI-high result on tumour tissue
  • Combination of colorectal/uterine cancer and another Lynch syndrome-related cancer*
  • Two or more family members on the same side of the family diagnosed with any Lynch syndrome-related cancer*, with one diagnosed at or under the age of 50
  • Three or more family members on the same side of the family diagnosed with any Lynch syndrome-related cancer* at any age
  • A previously identified faulty MMR gene in the family

 

*Lynch syndrome-related cancers:

  • Colorectal
  • Uterine (endometrial)
  • Ovarian
  • Gastric
  • Renal pelvis and/or ureter
  • Bladder
  • Biliary tract
  • Pancreatic
  • Brain/central nervous system
  • Prostate
  • Breast

 

Note: This list may change as more information is available

 

How can your genetic test result help you?

  1. Personalised management
    Your genetic test result may help to personalise your management options based on your cancer risk.

     

    If you have a cancer diagnosis

    • Can help guide important treatment and sometimes surgical decisions
    • Indicates what other cancers you are at risk of and how to manage these risks

     

    If you are currently cancer-free

    • Can help guide relevant screening to detect cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage
    • Can help guide decisions regarding relevant cancer riskreducing procedures like surgery (not standard management)
    • Can help carriers consider dedicated reproductive options when family planning

     

  2. Familial implications
    Your genetic test result can also help you understand if other family members are at risk of Lynch syndrome. They can subsequently consider their own testing (predictive testing) to clarify their carrier status to determine tumour and cancer risks.

    Family members who have inherited the same faulty MMR gene may be at increased risk of tumours and cancer and can benefit from management options such as screening (to detect tumours and cancer at an early and manageable stage) or surgery (to reduce their risk of cancer).

    Family members who did not inherit the faulty MMR gene can avoid unnecessary screening and worry. Their children will also not be at risk.


Lynch Syndrome - Treatments


What can I do to manage my increased risk of cancers?

Screening

  • Colorectal
    • Annual colonoscopies
    • Aspirin can be considered to reduce cancer risk
  • Uterine (endometrial)
    • Pelvic examinations and endometrial biopsies
    • Prompt and early reporting of symptoms is encouraged (e.g., abnormal uterine bleeding or postmenopausal bleeding)
  • Ovaries
    • Pelvic examinations
    • Prompt and early reporting of symptoms is encouraged (e.g., pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating, increased abdominal girth, difficulty eating, early satiety, or urinary frequency or urgency)
  • Gastric
    • Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy
    • Testing and treatment of H. pylori infections
  • Urinary tract
    • Urine tests
    • Early reporting of symptoms (e.g. blood in urine) is encouraged

Your managing doctor(s) will discuss screening recommendations with you in greater detail. The age and onset of screening may depend on your personal and/or family history of cancer. Screening guidelines may change as more information is known.

 

Risk-reducing surgery

These options are not standard management practices but may be offered on a case-by-case basis. Surgery is generally offered to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and require surgery as part of their treatment plan.

  • Colorectal
    • Surgery to remove parts of / the entire colon
  • Uterus
    • Surgery to remove the uterus
  • Ovaries
    • Surgery to remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes

Individuals can consider removing both the uterus and ovaries at the same time to reduce the risk of cancer.

These options will be discussed in detail with you by your managing doctor(s). These surgeries reduce the risk of cancer significantly but do not remove the risk completely.

 

Lifestyle adjustments

  • Promote avoidance/cessation of smoking
  • Keep a healthy diet and active lifestyle
  • Practise sun-smart behaviour such as using sunscreen

 

Reproductive options

Couples who are both carriers of the same faulty MMR gene can consider assisted reproductive options when planning a pregnancy. Their children have a 1 in 4 chance (25%) of inheriting two faulty copies of the same MMR gene – one from each parent – resulting in a condition known as constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) syndrome as shown below. Those who inherit two faulty copies of the same MMR gene have CMMRD.

Individuals with CMMRD are at risk of developing blood malignancies, brain tumours, and colon, small bowel, uterine, gastric, urologic and other types of cancer. They may develop multiple cancers throughout their lifetime and may present early in childhood.

We recommend people with Lynch syndrome to speak to a genetic counsellor prior to family planning and pregnancy to find out how their partners can undergo genetic testing to understand their carrier status, and to understand their options for assisted reproductive techniques.

When both parents are carriers of the faulty MMR gene



Lynch Syndrome - Preparing for surgery

Lynch Syndrome - Post-surgery care

  • Updated on

TOP