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More and more people of all ages suffer from diseases related to the digestive system. The cause is often poor nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle. However, we also distinguish diseases that we do not necessarily have an influence on, for example inherited diseases. One of them is Lynch syndrome. What is known about him? What are the characteristics and treatments for Lynch syndrome? You can learn all of this in the article below.
What is Lynch syndrome?
Lynch syndrome it is also called hereditary cancer of the colon, which accounts for approximately 3-5 percent of colorectal cancers. Contrary to the more common ones, it is not associated with the so-called polyposis, but with mutations in genes such as hMLH1 and hMSH2 that repair DNA. This disease is inherited from generation to generation and is where the body is unable to destroy damaged and abnormal cells in the intestinal epithelium on its own, which causes them to grow larger and can lead to the development of cancer.
What are the types of Lynch syndrome?
Lynch syndrome it can take various forms depending on what mutation in DNA repair genes it concerns. We divide it into type I, which is an isolated cancer of the colon, and type II, which may additionally be associated with cancer of the stomach, ovary, skin, kidneys, and endometrium, i.e. a malignant tumor of the reproductive organ.
What are the symptoms of Lynch syndrome?
Hereditary colon cancer, also called Lynch syndrome, most often it is located in the right half of the colon, i.e. the last segment of the large intestine. Lynch syndrome symptoms may be different. Some people develop symptoms similar to those of other colorectal cancers, while others have rather non-specific clinical symptoms. Weight loss, nonspecific abdominal pain, and iron deficiency anemia can occur, among others. The last symptom occurs when there is continual occult bleeding from the tumor.
Lynch syndrome diagnosis
In diagnostics Lynch syndrome family history turns out to be very important as it is a genetically inherited disease. In addition to the interview, which is aimed at determining whether there have been any cases in the family with colorectal cancer, it will also be necessary to carry out genetic tests to confirm gene mutations. In addition, the diagnosis is similar to that of other colorectal neoplasms. On suspicion Lynch syndrome are affected by the following criteria:
- 3 or more relatives had colorectal cancer (including at least 1 XNUMXst degree relative),
- the cancer has been diagnosed in at least two generations,
- at least one illness occurred before the age of 50,
- familial polyposis syndrome was excluded.
The above items are called Amsterdam criteriawhich are used for diagnostics Lynch syndrome.
How to treat Lynch syndrome?
Treatment of Lynch’s syndrome it is actually done in a fairly similar way to the treatment of many other cancers in the gastrointestinal tract. The first step should be to completely remove the tumor. Chemotherapy is usually implemented in the next steps.
It is worth remembering that due to the hereditary nature of this disease, not only patients with diagnosed Lynch syndrome, but also people related to them. Among other things, a colonoscopy should be performed approximately every 1,5 years.
How to proceed after chemotherapy?
After the removal of the neoplastic lesion and the performed chemotherapy, it is necessary to take all possible precautions and perform regular examinations that will allow to detect further potential changes as soon as possible. Women who need to regularly visit the gynecologist to control changes in the reproductive organs should be especially careful.
For people with Lynch syndrome it is also important to give up stimulants, especially to quit smoking, and to maintain a healthy body weight.
Affected people Lynch syndrome they should also take care to investigate the likelihood of their children developing the disease.
What is the prognosis for people with Lynch syndrome?
Regarding prognosis for people who were found Lynch syndrome, they can be very different and depend on the individual case. Usually, the biggest problem in this disease is metastasis to other organs, which sometimes does not make itself felt for a long time. Contrary to appearances, it is the case Lynch syndrome it is cancers of other organs that are more likely to kill patients than colorectal cancer. The sooner the disease is detected, the greater the chance for the better prognosis.
An important point when it comes to prognosis, there are environmental factors. In some situations, neoplastic changes develop faster and the risk of developing the disease is greater. Cancer development is especially fostered by smoking, alcohol and other stimulants, obesity, and an improper diet.