[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" align_content="stretch" flex_align_items="flex-start" flex_justify_content="flex-start" flex_wrap="wrap" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" container_tag="div" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" pattern_bg="none" pattern_bg_style="default" pattern_bg_opacity="100" pattern_bg_blend_mode="normal" mask_bg="none" mask_bg_style="default" mask_bg_opacity="100" mask_bg_transform="left" mask_bg_blend_mode="normal" absolute="off" absolute_devices="small,medium,large" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_transition_offset="0" scroll_offset="0" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" align_self="auto" content_layout="column" align_content="flex-start" valign_content="flex-start" content_wrap="wrap" center_content="no" column_tag="div" target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" order_medium="0" order_small="0" hover_type="none" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" background_type="single" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" lazy_load="avada" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" absolute="off" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" last="true" border_position="all" first="true"][fusion_text hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"]Our Think Tanks have proven instrumental in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in research. Serving as unbiased mediators, we bring together diverse groups of key stakeholders and thought leaders who share information and ideas to accelerate colorectal cancer research.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" align_content="stretch" flex_align_items="flex-start" flex_justify_content="flex-start" flex_wrap="wrap" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" container_tag="div" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" pattern_bg="none" pattern_bg_style="default" pattern_bg_opacity="100" pattern_bg_blend_mode="normal" mask_bg="none" mask_bg_style="default" mask_bg_opacity="100" mask_bg_transform="left" mask_bg_blend_mode="normal" absolute="off" absolute_devices="small,medium,large" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_transition_offset="0" scroll_offset="0" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" align_self="auto" content_layout="column" align_content="flex-start" valign_content="flex-start" content_wrap="wrap" center_content="no" column_tag="div" target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" order_medium="0" order_small="0" hover_type="none" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" background_type="single" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" lazy_load="avada" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" absolute="off" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" last="true" border_position="all" first="true"][fusion_text hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"]Some of the leading scientists, clinicians, and professionals in colorectal cancer research have joined forces with us to form our Medical Advisory Board (MAB) and expert workgroups. These professionals donate their time and expertise to ensure resources patients receive are credible and accurate. From publishing peer-reviewed articles in leading healthcare journals to focusing on cutting-edge research and initiatives across disciplines, our experts explore how we can work together to find a cure.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Other related cancers

Lynch syndrome patients face an increased risk for several cancers compared to an average-risk person without a hereditary cancer syndrome. If any of the Lynch-associated cancers run in your family, it’s important to let your geneticist know. Upper urinary tract or renal pelvis cancer (up to 28%) Skin cancer (up to 9%) Pancreatic cancer (up to 6%) Small intestine cancer (up to 11%) Bladder (up to 13%) Hepatobiliary tract cancer (up to 4%) Brain/central nervous system cancer (up to 3%)

Breast and prostate cancers

There are differing opinions on whether breast cancers and prostate cancers are part of Lynch-associated cancers. However, studies show that Lynch patients may carry an elevated risk for these cancers. While half of breast cancer cases in women with Lynch appear to be caused by Lynch syndrome (they have abnormal IHC or are MSI-high), there is insufficient data supporting an increased risk for breast cancer among women with Lynch syndrome. Men with Lynch carry an elevated risk for prostate cancer (as high as 24% for Lynch patients, particularly those with mutations in the MSH2 gene, compared to 13% for average-risk men).

Men and women with Lynch syndrome carry a 1-9% lifetime risk of developing stomach cancer .

Women with Lynch syndrome carry a 1-40% chance of developing ovarian cancer. To prevent ovarian cancer , doctors may recommend a prophylactic (preventive) oophorectomy (ovary removal) if there are no plans for childbearing or if a woman is past the age for childbearing.

Endometrial (uterine) cancer

Women with Lynch syndrome carry an elevated risk of developing endometrial cancer. Depending on the mutated gene, there is a 15-60% lifetime risk. To prevent uterine cancer, doctors may recommend a prophylactic (preventive) hysterectomy if there are no plans for childbearing or if a woman is past the age for childbearing.

Colon and rectal cancers

Up to 3-5% of all colorectal cancer is due to Lynch syndrome. People with Lynch syndrome have a 10-60% lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer (compared to a 4% risk for people with average risk). The average age of a colorectal cancer diagnosis for someone with Lynch syndrome can occur decades below the screening age of 45. Lynch syndrome is a common cause of colorectal cancer in young adults. Colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome patients may form quicker than in average-risk patients, and colorectal cancer screening, most often colonoscopy, will need to occur much more frequently for Lynch patients.

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY (IHC)

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" hover_type="none" first="true" background_blend_mode="overlay"][fusion_text hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"] An immunohistochemistry (IHC) test looks for missing proteins in tumor cells. The premise behind the test is that if the MMR genes are working properly, their protein products should be present in the tumor. However, if there is a mutation in one of the MMR genes, that gene’s protein will be absent in the tumor. 83-90% of Lynch-related tumors and 20% of sporadic tumors have at least one of these proteins absent. IHC testing looks to see if a tumor is missing any of the MMR proteins. If any of the MMR proteins are missing, the test is abnormal, and you are more likely to have Lynch syndrome. To find out if you have Lynch syndrome, you need to do a genetic test to check for specific genes. If the test is normal, you are less likely to have Lynch syndrome, but it cannot be ruled out entirely. [/fusion_text][fusion_button link="https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/resource/resource-library/guide-in-the-fight/tests-and-scans/pathology/" target="_self" aria_role_button="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" color="custom" button_gradient_top_color_hover="var(--awb-color7)" button_gradient_top_color="var(--awb-color6)" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="var(--awb-color7)" button_gradient_bottom_color="var(--awb-color6)" linear_angle="180" accent_hover_color="var(--awb-color6)" border_hover_color="var(--awb-color6)" border_color="var(--awb-color6)" stretch="default" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="text_slide_up" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"]immunohistochemistry test[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

MICROSATELLITE INSTABILITY (MSI)

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" hover_type="none" first="true" background_blend_mode="overlay"][fusion_text hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"]An MSI screening test looks for changes in the DNA sequence by comparing normal tissue and tumor tissue. Defects in the MMR genes (MMR-D) result in an increased accumulation of DNA errors, and stretches of DNA called microsatellites are especially prone to these errors. Most cancers do not have errors in their microsatellites, this is known as a MSS or microsatellite stable tumor. 77-89% of Lynch-related tumors show MSI (also called MSI-high), but 10-15% of sporadic tumors also show it. Given that both Lynch and sporadic tumors can show MSI, additional testing is needed to determine if an individual with an MSI-high tumor has Lynch syndrome. [fusion_button link="https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/blog/what-is-msi-and-mss/" target="_self" aria_role_button="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" color="custom" button_gradient_top_color_hover="var(--awb-color7)" button_gradient_top_color="var(--awb-color6)" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="var(--awb-color7)" button_gradient_bottom_color="var(--awb-color6)" linear_angle="180" accent_hover_color="var(--awb-color6)" border_hover_color="var(--awb-color6)" border_color="var(--awb-color6)" stretch="default" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="text_slide_up" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"]Learn more about MSI vs MSS tumors[/fusion_button][/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]