Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition that increases the chance to develop certain types of cancers (a cancer predisposition syndrome).  In the past, this condition was divided into two subtypes: Lynch syndrome 1 referred to a condition that increased the chance of developing colon cancer only and Lynch syndrome 2 referred to a condition that increased the chance of developing cancers other than colon cancer, such as cancers of the uterus, stomach, biliary tract and pancreas, and urinary tract.^[1]  However, it is now known that both Lynch syndrome 1 and Lynch syndrome 2 are caused by mutations in the same genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM).^[2]  Because the underlying genetic cause is similar for both subtypes, they are now referred to as one condition, "Lynch syndrome".