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Colorectal Surgery in Lynch Syndrome Patients: When and How?

  • Prevention and Early Detection (R Benamouzig, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Colorectal Cancer Reports

Abstract

Lynch syndrome is the most common inherited colorectal cancer susceptibility syndrome and accounts for approximately 3 % of all colorectal cancers. Clinical assessment and a detailed family history are crucial in identifying patients who need further evaluation via genetic counseling and testing. Discovery of the underlying causative germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes has allowed more accurate colorectal and extracolonic cancer risk assignment. Once diagnosed, intensive surveillance via colonoscopy and timely interventions such as polypectomy reduce colorectal cancer development and mortality from it. If colorectal cancer develops within a Lynch syndrome patient, extended surgical resection is recommended based on high metachronous colorectal cancer risk. Extended resections can be achieved without significant decreases in quality of life. Heightened clinical awareness is needed to promote appropriate diagnosis and management.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Kalady is the Krause-Lieberman Endowed Chair in Colorectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic.

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Conflict of Interest

David Liska declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Matthew F. Kalady has received compensation from Precision Therapeutics for service as a consultant and as a guest speaker.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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    1. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, A30, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

      David Liska & Matthew F. Kalady

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    Correspondence to Matthew F. Kalady.

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    This article is part of the Topical Collection on Prevention and Early Detection

    David Liska and Matthew F. Kalady contributed equally to this work.

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    Liska, D., Kalady, M.F. Colorectal Surgery in Lynch Syndrome Patients: When and How?. Curr Colorectal Cancer Rep 11, 45–53 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-015-0262-9

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