In women with Lynch Syndrome, which additional cancers are they at risk for developing?

Women with Lynch Syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), face an increased risk for various types of cancers, particularly ovarian and endometrial cancers. Lynch Syndrome is associated with inherited mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes, which are crucial for repairing errors that occur during DNA replication. This inability to correct these errors leads to an elevated risk for specific cancers, particularly within the female reproductive system.

Research has shown that women with Lynch Syndrome have an approximate 40-60% lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer, and about a 10-15% risk of ovarian cancer. These figures are significantly higher than those observed in the general population, highlighting the importance of surveillance and preventive strategies for women carrying these genetic mutations. In contrast, while other cancer types may be associated with Lynch Syndrome, such as colorectal cancer, the specific cancers of endometrial and ovarian are the most prominently acknowledged and studied in this context.