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The Daily Insight

What is a cancer syndrome?

Author

Emma Johnson

Updated on May 03, 2026

A cancer syndrome, or family cancer syndrome, is a genetic disorder in which inherited genetic mutations in one or more genes predispose the affected individuals to the development of cancers and may also cause the early onset of these cancers.

What are hereditary cancer syndromes caused by?

A type of inherited disorder in which there is a higher-than-normal risk of certain types of cancer. Hereditary cancer syndromes are caused by mutations (changes) in certain genes passed from parents to children. In a hereditary cancer syndrome, certain patterns of cancer may be seen within families.

What is the Lynch syndrome?

Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal (colon) cancer. People with Lynch syndrome are more likely to get colorectal cancer and other cancers, and at a younger age (before 50), including.

What are the family cancer syndromes?

Most hereditary cancer syndromes exhibit autosomal dominant inheritance. The most common hereditary cancer syndromes related to women’s cancer include hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, Lynch syndrome, Li–Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Peutz–Jeghers syndrome, and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.

Which type of cancer is genetic?

Some cancers that can be hereditary are: Breast cancer. Colon cancer. Prostate cancer.

What does BRCA2 stand for?

BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA. Everyone has two copies of each of these genes—one copy inherited from each parent.

What are the different types of family cancer syndromes?

Examples of family cancer syndromes. 1 Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome. In some families, many women develop breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer. Often these cancers 2 Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) 3 Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

What are the different types of breast and colon cancer syndromes?

Given the prevalence of breast and colon cancer, the most widely recognized syndromes include hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC, Lynch syndrome).

What are the different types of cancer in the body?

Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin – see Skin Cancer. Bile Duct Cancer. Bladder Cancer. Bone Cancer (includes Ewing Sarcoma and Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma) Brain Tumors. Breast Cancer. Bronchial Tumors (Lung Cancer) Burkitt Lymphoma – see Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

What are the different types of cancer in children?

E Embryonal Tumors, Central Nervous System, Childhood (Brain Cancer) Endometrial Cancer (Uterine Cancer) Ependymoma, Childhood (Brain Cancer) Esophageal Cancer Childhood Esophageal Cancer – see Unusual Cancers of Childhood Esthesioneuroblastoma (Head and Neck Cancer) Ewing Sarcoma (Bone Cancer) Extracranial Germ Cell Tumor, Childhood