{"id":3893,"date":"2019-02-18T04:03:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T04:03:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3893"},"modified":"2021-05-27T13:21:46","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:21:46","slug":"15-signs-of-lynch-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-signs-of-lynch-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Signs of Lynch syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Lynch syndrome is a hereditary condition, also known in the medical community as, \u201chereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer,\u201d (HNPCC). LS is a rare condition that affects very few people. However, for those affected individuals, the presence of LS means that they run a significantly higher risk of developing certain forms of cancer that affect the bowels, pelvic region, and the nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lynch syndrome is responsible for the development of around 5-percent of all bowel cancer in the United States. This statistic makes it somewhat insignificant concerning cancer diagnosis, but it\u2019s vital that affected individuals with more than one form of cancer receive tests for LS to determine any other future metastasis of cancer into other areas of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight signs of Lynch syndrome. If you notice any of them, it\u2019s best you arrange a consultation with your doctor for an endoscopy that checks the health of your gastrointestinal and reproductive systems.
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1.    Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any disease, there\u2019s a set of risk factors that make one segment of the population more predisposed to developing Lynch syndrome. Since LS is a hereditary condition, people with one or both parents suffering from LS, have a 50-percent chance of developing the disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LS is a gene <\/a>mutation affecting the PMS2, MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 genes. These genes typically adjust any genetic mutations in cells, returning them to a healthy state or expelling them from the body. However, cells affected by LS lack this feature, and as time passes, the mutated cells start to turn cancerous, leading to the development of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a family history of ovarian, endometrial, or colon cancer, you may be at risk of LS. Any form of gastrointestinal or gynecologic cancer diagnosed before the age of 50-years is a red flag for LS, and your doctor will order further testing of cancerous tissues to determine if you have Lynch syndrome.
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2.    Affected Family Members<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every person carries two copies of the genes from their parents. People affected by LS have one healthy gene and another that has the LS mutation<\/a>. Being that only one copy of a gene passes from parent to child, there\u2019s a 50-percent risk of the mutated gene appearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lynch syndrome is the likely culprit for the early onset of cancer in one side of the family, especially in cases of ovarian and bowel cancer. However, the affected individual may have no family history of cancer and may be the first person in the lineage to contract the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors may suspect the presence of LS if at least two relatives on the same side of the family have a history of bowel or ovarian cancer. There is also cause for suspicion of LS if the affected individual develops cancer before the age of 50. When three or more relatives from the same side of the family have one or more LS-type cancers, it\u2019s another hereditary sign of LS.
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3.    Colorectal Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bowel cancer is rare, with less than 40-cases diagnosed per 100,000 people in the United States. In most cases, the tumor <\/a>is curable through treatment with drugs, surgery, and lifestyle changes. Typically, colorectal cancer occurs in people over the age of 50-years. However, people with LS can develop the condition after the age of 40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, it\u2019s best to monitor your bowel movements and note any feelings of pain that arise when passing stool. If you notice any of the following signs of colorectal cancer, call your physician for a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Blood in the stool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Sharp pains in the GI tract when passing stool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Difficulty in passing stool or constipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    A feeling of not emptying your bowels after using the toilet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Bouts of diarrhea or constipation that last for longer than six weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Dramatic weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These symptoms can occur for a variety of reasons. However, if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, arrange a consultation with your doctor as soon as possible.
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4.    Endometrial Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical science refers to cancer of the uterus <\/a>as \u201cendometrial.\u201d The womb is the pear-shaped organ found in the pelvis, and it\u2019s responsible for fetal development. Endometrial cancer occurs when the cells in the lining of the uterus start to experience mutation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes called \u201cuterine cancer,\u201d this condition is easy for doctors to identify and diagnosis usually occurs in the early stages of the disease when it\u2019s treatable. Other forms of cancer, such as uterine sarcoma, are far less common than the endometrial type, and far more aggressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If detected early, doctors can cure endometrial cancer by removing the uterus. Symptoms of the disease include bleeding or \u201cspotting\u201d at irregular times in-between periods, as well as severe pain in the pelvic region that may spread to the lower back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your doctor provides you with an endometrial cancer diagnosis, they may conduct further tests to check for signs of LS.
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5.    Ovarian Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the risk of developing ovarian cancer in LS patients is far less than the womb or bowel cancer. However, the condition does occur, and patients <\/a>with signs and symptoms of the disease should contact their doctor for an immediate consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Bleeding from the vagina at random times of the month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Pain in the pelvic area and lower back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Pain while urinating or passing stool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no screening test for ovarian cancer, and patients will need to undergo a vaginal ultrasound and blood tests to determine if they have the disease. Blood tests check for levels of the protein, CA125, (cancer antigen 125.) This protein is present in larger concentrations in cancerous cells, and high levels of CA125 may indicate that cancer is spreading through the ovaries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors may treat ovarian cancer with local or systemic treatments that include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
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6.    Gastrointestinal Disorders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lynch syndrome increases the chances of an affected individual developing colorectal cancer. However, before the cancer symptoms <\/a>present themselves, affected individuals may notice a rise in GI-related illnesses or disorders. People suffering from LS often report they have feelings of pain or sensitivity emanating from their digestive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some other signs of GI-disorders related to the early onset of colorectal cancer include; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Bleeding from the anus or bloody, dark stools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Severe cramping and stomach pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Problems with passing stool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Extended bouts of constipation and diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor for a consultation and diagnosis. If you are under the age of 50-years old, you may have Lynch syndrome and the start of colorectal cancer. Doctors treat the condition using drugs to reduce pain symptoms, and surgery to remove the affected area of the digestive tract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, colorectal cancer can metastasize into other areas of the body, including the liver, kidneys, stomach, lungs, and brain.
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7.    Urothelial cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Urothelial cancer occurs when cells in the epithelial lining of the urinary tract start to undergo mutation. As the cells begin to grow in size, they begin to form cancerous tumors. This type of cancer most commonly affects the bladder<\/a>, and secondly the ureters, urethra, and pelvis. Men over the age of 65, with a history of cigarette smoking or exposure to other carcinogens, are most at risk of developing the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors use urine cytology, cystoscopy, and CT urography to diagnose patients under the age of 35-years, with gross hematuria. Non-muscle bladder tumors receive treatment with transurethral resection and chemotherapy. Muscle-invasive bladder tumors receive treatment with chemoradiation, chemotherapy, and radical cystectomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people may confuse the initial warning signs of urothelial cancer with a urinary tract or bladder infection. However, if you notice that these symptoms last past three to four days without clearing up, you may have urothelial cancer. Arrange a consultation with your doctor for a diagnosis.
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8.    Prostate Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prostate cance<\/a>r typically occurs in middle-aged men over 60-years old. Those individuals suffering from Lynch syndrome, experience a cumulative lifetime risk for developing prostate cancer, that\u2019s twice as high as the general populace. Studies show that only 2.59-percent of American men have a chance of developing the condition, compared to 6.3-percent of men living with LS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of prostate cancer include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Pain in the pelvic area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Incontinence \u2013 the inability to control urine stream or hold back urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Pain while urinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Constipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Pain while sitting cross-legged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men who have prostate cancer have a high 5-year survival rate, with more than 90-percent of affected individuals going into remission after treatment. Doctors use treatment strategies that include surgery and chemotherapy, to remove cancerous tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prostate cancer is not a typical sign of Lynch syndrome, but doctors should always take preventative measures to ensure that there is no evidence of LS. Blood tests and endoscopy are the two most common means of identifying the presence of LS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Muir-Torre Syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MTS is a rare complication of Lynch syndrome. Patients who are dealing with Muir-Torre syndrome typically find that they receive issues with their skin, resulting in the development of different types of skin cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most common forms of tumors found in patients with MTS include sebaceous carcinomas, (these usually occur on the eyelids,) sebaceous epitheliomas, and keratoacanthomas. The most dangerous of the three is sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, the carcinoma enters the orbit of the eye where it starts to metastasize. Should the patient reach this stage, their survival rate drops significantly. Patients with tumors in other regions of the body may also experience metastasis<\/a>, but it rarely results in the death of the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keratoacanthomas often occur on the top of the hands and the face, but they can appear on any location on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors that are taken into account by your doctor when diagnosing MTS include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    A history of sebaceous tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    The patient is younger than 50-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Prior personal history of Lynch-related cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Personal or family history of Lynch-related diseases.
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10. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

FAP is another condition triggered by Lynch syndrome. Adenomatous polyps develop on the side of the colon due to healthy cells forming a mass on the inside of the gastrointestinal tract<\/a>. Most people diagnosed with the condition will experience the development of multiple polyps by age 35. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors diagnose FAP in patients that have over 100-confirmed polyps in the GI tract. The average age for the development of the condition is in the mid-teens. If the patient does not receive diagnoses and treatment within a few years after developing the disease, they run the risk of the polyps causing the onset of colorectal cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients diagnosed with FAP are also at a higher risk of developing other forms of cancer. Affected organs that may also develop tumors include the stomach, pancreas, and the biliary tree. In some cases, the patient may experience the onset of hepatoblastoma, a severe form of liver cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Turcot Syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with Turcot syndrome, experience the condition as a complication related to FAP or LS. Patients who are living with the effects of Turcot syndrome may have multiple colon-polyps, as well as a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer and tumors in the brain<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The types of brain tumors caused by TS depend on whether the patient is dealing with TS related to LS or FAP. The most common forms of brain cancer found in patients with TS include; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medulloblastoma \u2013 This brain tumor starts to grow in the cerebellum, the region of the brain responsible for processing sensory information. This type of tumor is common in children diagnosed with TS and is also a common form of brain cancer found in patients who have a family history of FAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glioblastoma \u2013 This kind of tumor is an especially aggressive form of astrocytoma. This type of cancer occurs mainly in families that have a history of Lynch syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Bile Duct Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the effects of Lynch syndrome may start to experience problems with liver<\/a> function. The bile duct originates in the liver, where it transports bile through the intrahepatic bile ducts, tiny tubes that drain the bile from liver cells into expanding branches. These tubes end at the common bile duct which empties into the small intestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The body requires bile to aid with digestion. When the patient experiences the development of cancer in any region of the bile duct, they may start to notice symptoms of jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors may have trouble identifying the type of cancer involved, and they typically use the affected site as the primary factor in making their diagnosis. The most common types of cancer-related to LS that affect the bile duct include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma \u2013 When doctors locate tumors on the surface or outside of the liver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma \u2013 Occurs when tumors grow on the joint between the right and left hepatic ducts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma \u2013 Affecting around 5 to 10-percent of patients with bile duct cancer. These tumors occur inside the liver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Pancreatic Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with Lynch syndrome are also at risk of developing pancreatic cancer<\/a>. This extremely aggressive form of the disease is the same type that took the life of Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs. The pancreas is a gland located inside the abdomen, between the stomach and the spine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pancreas is a vital component of the endocrine system, and the organ is responsible for the production of the hormone, insulin. Patients who experience the onset of pancreatic cancer, as a result of LS, experience disruptions and dysfunctions in insulin production, as well as issues with regulating their metabolism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous types of pancreatic cancer, with some varieties being more aggressive than others. However, regardless of the kind of cancer, the five-year survival rate for patients with pancreatic tumors is meager. The type of cancer depends on whether the tumors start in the endocrine or exocrine region of the organ. On rare occasions, sarcoma and lymphoma begin in the pancreas, but it\u2019s uncommon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Screening Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ASCO recommends that patients use the following screening protocol for diagnosing Lynch syndrome. Discuss the options available with your doctor, and ensure that you understand the process going forward if you do receive a diagnosis <\/a>of LS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The general screening guidelines developed by ASCO aim to reduce the risk of patients developing LS, by catching the disease before it has a chance to spread in the digestive system or metastasize to other regions of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ASCO recommends that high-risk individuals with a family history of LS, receive screening every year after their 25th birthday. Furthermore, the patient should also receive an upper-endoscopy every three to five years after the age of 25-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients should have a dermatologist review their skin at least once every year to check for signs of cancer growths. Those patients with a family history of colorectal cancer linked to LS should consider the daily use of Aspirin to reduce the risk of tumors developing in the digestive tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Questions for Your Health Care Professional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who experience a diagnosis of Lynch syndrome may not understand the implications of the disease and how it affects their health. If you are the first person in your family to come down with the condition, then you may have plenty of questions for your physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you panic and spin out of control after your diagnosis, take a deep breath, and calm down. Here is a list of questions to ask your physician, the answers will help you come to terms with your condition, and assist you with a treatment<\/a> plan going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    What risk do I have of developing colorectal cancer, or another form of cancer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    How can I reduce my cancer risk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    What screening options are available?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Does my family history increase my risk of developing colorectal or skin cancer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Has MSI or IHC testing been conducted on my tumor?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Should I consider genetic testing and meet with a genetic counselor?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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