Cancer risk in young women at risk of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: Implications for gynecologic surveillance

Abstract

Objectives: The lifetime risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is up to 60 and 12%, respectively, in addition to the high risk of colorectal cancer. International guidelines recommend surveillance of those at risk with colonoscopy every 1-2 years from age 20-25 years and annual gynecologic surveillance from 25-35 years for women. We reviewed our own experience to see whether these recommendations were appropriate. Methods: Pedigrees of 120 HNPCC families registered with the Familial Bowel Cancer Service at The Royal Melbourne Hospital were reviewed. Ninety families met our criteria for HNPCC and were included in the study. Pedigrees were..