What Is Lynch Syndrome?
One out of every 50 people have the chances of developing cancer in their bowel. Out of them some have the chances of developing the hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). This disease is commonly known as Lynch syndrome. This mutation of the genes is genetically inherited and it causes bowel cancer.
The gene which is mutated is actually the gene which repairs the damages that are detected in the DNA. But when the gene which is responsible for repairing work is mutated it results in the production of faulty DNA. Thus the person who has inherited the mutated gene runs the risk of falling prey to cancer. Mainly people inheriting mutated gene fall prey to bowel cancer.
Apart from cancer in the bowel region one also runs the risk of suffering from cancer in the stomach, kidney, ovary and womb. Lynch syndrome is a case of a rare inherited disease. The person also runs the risk of suffering from colon cancer. The people who suffer from colon cancer are sometimes due to the presence of Lynch syndrome.
There are a number of syndromes that lead to the development of cancer. Due to this particular disease the chances of getting affected by colon cancer at an early age increases. The people suffering from Lynch syndrome have greater chances of falling prey to colon cancer.
Symptoms of Lynch Syndrome
People who have inherited the muted genes notice a change in their bowel habit. They need to visit the toilet more frequently as they either suffer from constipation or diarrhea. They tend to pass blood with the stool. People suffering from Lynch syndrome suddenly suffer from weight loss. They tend to loose their appetite and feel a change in the abdominal pain.
These are some of the common symptoms that the people face while suffering from lynch syndrome. They fall prey to colon cancer at a much younger age sometimes even before 45. They have a family history of colon cancer. There will be members in their family who are suffering from some form of cancer. Mostly they suffer from liver cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer and kidney cancer.
Treatment of Lynch Syndrome
The treatment that is given to the people who have lynch syndrome are similar to the normal cancer patients. The cancer is detected only after the screening of the tumour. After extensive research four major genes have been identified which are responsible for lynch syndrome.
These genes have been identified as hMLH1, hMSH2, hPMS1 and hPMS2. These genes can be detected with the help of special blood tests. But if the mutation is very rare then it can be missed out. If the person or any one in the family is known to be carrying the faulty genes then they should be screened regularly for tumours with the help of either hysteroscopy or colonoscopy.
Doctors never recommend for antenatal screening. Lynch syndrome are common in the families that have the dominant inheritance pattern. If the gene is carried by one of the parent then the child has 50% chances of inheriting the mutated gene. The mutated genes which has been inherited by the child plays an effective role the rectifying the fault that are accompanied by the DNA.
The cells grow and divide and the copies of the DNA are made. While the cells are being multiplied some small mistakes tend to occur. If the cells are normal then the defect is immediately identified and the rectification is done. But if one inherits the defective which is related to lynch syndrome then the rectification cannot be done.
If the defects in the cells get accumulated then the damage which is present in the gene increases and then the cells run higher risk of getting cancerous. If one is aware of the family history and knows about the risk that is running then the doctor should be consulted immediately. If one of the family member has been tested and found to be the carrier of the lynch syndrome then the genetic counselor should be contacted immediately.
