Symptoms of HNPCC
 
     Unfortunately, the early stages of this disease are usually asymptomatic. This makes it difficult to detect the disease at the stage when there is the most hope for survival. This makes regular screening a necessity. 
 
   In some patients, adenomatous colon polyps may form. Contrary to its name, Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer is associated with polyp formation. However, these polyps form at similar rate in the general public, making it an inconclusive symptom. (Ref. 8) HNPCC's name is meant to reflect that the rate of polyp formation is not abnormal. This separates HNPCC from another inheritable colon cancer, Familiar Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) which is characterized by hundreds of polyps carpeting the large intestine. 
 
      These polyps are pre malignant growths. If they are not removed, the polyps evolve over a period of years and may become cancerous as the result of multiple genetic changes in their cells. As a precaution, the polyps are generally removed once they have been found, whether or not the patient carries the HNPCC gene. However, if undetected, these polyps can progress to late stages of malignancy before other symptoms occur.
 
Once the cancer progresses to late stages, the indications include (Ref. 16):         HNPCC usually causes tumors to form on the right side of the colon, and the average age for its onset is 45. (Ref. 6)

    The most important warning sign for this disease is the occurrence of HNPCC in family members. Because the gene is autosomal dominant, if one person in the family is known to carry the mutation, there is a good chance that they are not alone. It is advisable for people to investigate the occurrence of HNPCC in their families and provide their doctor with an accurate account of their findings.

DePauw University HNPCC Home Page
Current Topic:  Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment for HNPCC

Created by:  April Bardes, Colin Connor, and Allison Niggemyer, Biology Department, DePauw University, Bios 354:  Molecular Genetics, Spring 1998.