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:

• Uterine (endometrial),
• Stomach,
• Liver,
• Kidney,
• Brain, and
• Certain types of skin cancers.

Lynch syndrome causes about 4,000 colorectal cancers and 1,800 uterine (endometrial) cancers per year.