Genetic diagnosis and management of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Genetic counseling in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Recent identification of gene mutations responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) has made possible the presymptomatic diagnosis of at-risk family members. If DNA testing shows that a family member is a gene carrier, that individual's lifetime cancer risk is approximately 90%. If the test is negative, the family member's cancer risk drops to that of the general populatio...

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), or Lynch syndrome, is the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). A well-orchestrated cancer family history is essential for its diagnosis since, unlike its familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) hereditary cancer counterpart, HNPCC lacks distinguishing clinical stigmata of its cancer genetic risk. Discoveries in the 1990s of germ...

Molecular Diagnosis of Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (hnpcc)

iii Imagine a single cell in your body, turning against you, becoming malignant, and eventually causing a life-threatening disease. Cancer is both fascinating and horrifying. For decades, scientists have battled to unravel the underlying mechanisms. Although significant progress has been made, the heart of the mystery remains unsolved.

Genetic Basis of Hereditary Colorectal Cancers: Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Genetics of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. About 15 - 20% of all colorectal cancers are familial. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome. It is caused by mutations in mismatch repair genes, predominantly MSH2 and MLH1. Although hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer accounts for a minority of colorectal cancers, the mutati...