EDITORIAL
Colonic Polyps in Lynch Syndrome Randall W. Burt, M.D. Salt Lake City, Utah
I
n recent years, the genetic etiology and cancer phenotype of Lynch syndrome (LS) have been precisely defined. The adenomatous polyps in this condition, however, are less well understood, yet these are the very lesions that lead to the colon cancer in LS and should be removed for colon cancer prevention. The article in this issue by Kalady et al1 from the Cleveland Clinic adds considerably to our understanding of the polyp phenotype of LS. LS is an autosomal, dominantly inherited condition with a high risk of colon, uterine, and other malignancies at a young age of onset.2 A positive family history is required to suspect LS because there is no distinct phenotype in an individual. Various approaches are used to determine which people and families are at risk for LS and include Amsterdam criteria, Bethesda guidelines, and several online algorithms. It is now recommended that all colon cancers, or at least those that occur at age
Colonic Polyps in Lynch Syndrome Randall W. Burt, M.D. Salt Lake City, Utah
I
n recent years, the genetic etiology and cancer phenotype of Lynch syndrome (LS) have been precisely defined. The adenomatous polyps in this condition, however, are less well understood, yet these are the very lesions that lead to the colon cancer in LS and should be removed for colon cancer prevention. The article in this issue by Kalady et al1 from the Cleveland Clinic adds considerably to our understanding of the polyp phenotype of LS. LS is an autosomal, dominantly inherited condition with a high risk of colon, uterine, and other malignancies at a young age of onset.2 A positive family history is required to suspect LS because there is no distinct phenotype in an individual. Various approaches are used to determine which people and families are at risk for LS and include Amsterdam criteria, Bethesda guidelines, and several online algorithms. It is now recommended that all colon cancers, or at least those that occur at age
