What Is Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer?
HNPCC is also known as Lynch syndrome or cancer family syndrome. HNPCC is a condition in which the tendency to develop colorectal cancer is inherited. “Nonpolyposis” means that colorectal cancer can occur when only a small number of polyps are present (or polyps are not present at all). In families with HNPCC, cancer usually occurs on the right side of the colon. It often occurs at a younger age than colon cancer that is not inherited. Other cancers can occur in these families including cancer of the uterus, ovaries, stomach, urinary tract, small bowel, and bile ducts.
