In this blog, we'll explore the relationship between genetics and Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder that increases the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer. For this reason, Lynch disease has always been known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer [1].

If you want to know more about Lynch Syndrome, here we tell you what its symptoms are, which genes are involved in its development and many other interesting facts about the disease that you probably didn't know.

What are the main symptoms of Lynch disease?

A significant portion of the symptoms of Lynch syndrome are similar to those of colorectal cancer, and some of those that may indicate the onset of this disease could be [2]:

 

Colorectal cancer itself, or glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, are also considered symptoms of Lynch disease, whose primary lesion is usually a single colonic adenoma. This distinguishes it from other forms of colorectal cancer called familial adenomatous polyposis, which is characterized by multiple adenomas [3].

lynch syndrome life expectancy

What is the relationship between Lynch syndrome and genetic inheritance?

Lynch Syndrome It is transmitted from parents to children in an autosomal dominant manner.. This means that for the syndrome to develop, it is enough for the child to inherit a single copy of the mutated gene from one of their parents. The probability of this occurring when one of the parents carries a copy of this mutation in one of these specific genes is 50%. If you would like to learn more about the different forms of genetic inheritance and their relationship to hereditary diseases, you can do so. here. 

We are made up of trillions of cells that grow and multiply in a regulated manner; this is known as cell proliferation. When a cell ages or develops an abnormality, it dies, a process called apoptosis. Both cell proliferation and apoptosis are highly regulated. However, errors (mutations) in the DNA of cells can occur during the proliferation process, causing them to multiply uncontrollably and no longer die when they should. This is when cancerous processes begin. 

To prevent this, our system has a series of genes that are responsible for locating errors in cells and fixing them.

In patients with Lynch syndrome, these genes, known as "disparity repair genes," do not function properly. Therefore, if an error occurs during cell division, they may not act as they should. This can lead to the development of a tumor [1].

These genes, implicated in the development of the disease, are MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 [4] and the inheritance of one of these mutated genes is the direct cause of Lynch syndrome. This does not imply that all children who inherit these genes from their parents will develop cancer, but rather that their probability is higher than that of the general population.

How does diet influence Lynch syndrome?

A study conducted by researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, and published in the journal Cancer, demonstrated that the risk of developing cancer in people with Lynch Syndrome doubleswhen they follow a diet based on junk food consumption [5].

The Mediterranean diet, On the contrary, it has been shown to be protective against the development of cancer thanks to the benefits associated with the consumption of fiber-rich foods such as cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables [6].

 

Lynch Syndrome and the prevention of colorectal cancer

The early detection Lynch Syndrome could help prevent a large majority of cancer cases of the colon or rectum. The problem is that, being a little-known disease, it is underdiagnosed [7]. Furthermore, because it is so closely related to certain types of cancer, in many cases the tumor is diagnosed before Lynch syndrome itself.

This is where the importance of genetics and conditions like Lynch syndrome comes in. Knowing whether we carry the mutated genes associated with Lynch disease is the first step in preventing several types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer. With this information, we can have more thorough, regular checkups to to detect the existence of precancerous lesions in time.

One of the methods for obtaining this information that is now available to the general population is genetic testing. At Zogen, we perform a genetic health test with which We can find out if we have a mutation in our genes involved in the development of Lynch Syndrome.

To extract this data from your DNA, we simply need a saliva sample. If you want to learn everything your genetic information can tell you about your predisposition to not only this disease, but hundreds of other ailments, purchase a health test on our website and find out as soon as possible.

 

Literature

 

[1] Lynch Syndrome – Mayo Clinic Staff [published Sep. 2022; accessed Mar. 2023] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/lynch-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20374714

[2] What is Lynch syndrome? | Symptoms, causes and how to treat the disease – La Vanguardia [published Jul. 2019; accessed Mar. 2023] Available at: https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/salud/tipos-cancer/20190731/463800463457/sindrome-de-lynch-cancer-cancer-colorrectal-polipos-cancer-de-endometrio-cancer-de-utero.html

[3] Lynch Syndrome – Minhhuyen Nguyen, MD, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University [reviewed Mar. 2021; accessed Mar. 2023] Available at: https://www.msdmanuals.com/es-es/professional/trastornos-gastrointestinales/tumores-del-aparato-digestivo/s%C3%ADndrome-de-lynch

[4] Lynch Syndrome – National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [updated Apr. 2017; accessed Mar. 2023] Available at:  https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/espanol/12282/sindrome-de-lynch

[5] Those affected by Lynch syndrome should avoid junk food – We are patients [published Dec. 2012; accessed Mar. 2023] Available at: https://www.somospacientes.com/noticias/avances/los-afectados-por-el-sindrome-de-lynch-deben-evitar-la-comida-basura/

[6] Living with Lynch syndrome – Dr. Francesc Balaguer Prunés and Dr. Judith Balmaña Gelpi [accessed Mar. 2023] Available at:  https://www.seom.org/seomcms/images/stories/recursos/Vivir_Lynch.PDF

[7] People with Lynch syndrome have up to an 82% chance of developing colon cancer – Sinc [published Mar. 2014; accessed Mar. 2023] Available at: https://www.agenciasinc.es/Noticias/Las-personas-con-sindrome-de-Lynch-tienen-hasta-un-82-de-probabilidades-de-padecer-cancer-de-colon