Hazard ratio for colorectal cancer risk in Lynch syndrome is inversely associated with age.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Carriers of germline mutations in mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) have a high risk of colorectal and other cancers (Lynch syndrome). Between 30% and 70% of carriers will be develop colorectal cancer by age 70 if they are not screened for the disease. What is not well understood is how the effect of mutations, in absolute and relative terms, varies by age. Methods: We conducted a literature review to identify studies of colorectal cancer that estimated age-specific hazard ratios for colorectal cancer for carriers of a mutation in MLH1 or MSH2 compared with the general population. Studies were excluded if they did not adjust c..