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©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2007; 13(33): 4413-4416
Published online Sep 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i33.4413
Published online Sep 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i33.4413
Identification of Lynch syndrome: How should we proceed in the 21st century?
Antoni Castells, Francesc Balaguer, Sergi Castellví-Bel, Victòria Gonzalo, Teresa Ocaña, Gastroenterology Department, Institut de Malalties Digestives i Metabòliques, Hospital Clínic, CIBERehd, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (SAF 04-07190 and 07/-64873) from the Asociación Española contra el Cáncer, the Hospital Clínic and Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria
Correspondence to: Dr. Antoni Castells, Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. castells@clinic.ub.es
Telephone: +34-93-2275418 Fax: +34-93-2279387
Received: June 6, 2007
Revised: June 20, 2007
Accepted: June 23, 2007
Published online: September 7, 2007
Revised: June 20, 2007
Accepted: June 23, 2007
Published online: September 7, 2007
Abstract
Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer. Although great advances in the understanding of its molecular basis have taken place in the last decade, optimal selection of individuals for HNPCC genetic testing remains controversial. This is especially relevant since colonoscopy has been proven effective for reducing colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in individuals at-risk for this disorder. In this manuscript, we summarize the most significant contributions to this important issue that have appeared in the last few years.
Keywords: Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, Screening, Prevention, Microsatellite instability, Genetics