Milestones of Lynch syndrome: 1895-2015

Nat Rev Cancer. 2015 Mar;15(3):181-94. doi: 10.1038/nrc3878. Epub 2015 Feb 12.

Abstract

Lynch syndrome, which is now recognized as the most common hereditary colorectal cancer condition, is characterized by the predisposition to a spectrum of cancers, primarily colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer. We chronicle over a century of discoveries that revolutionized the diagnosis and clinical management of Lynch syndrome, beginning in 1895 with Warthin's observations of familial cancer clusters, through the clinical era led by Lynch and the genetic era heralded by the discovery of causative mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, to ongoing challenges.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / history*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / therapy
  • DNA Mismatch Repair* / genetics
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century