Doctors from the American Oncology Institute (AOI), Mangalagiri have successfully treated a person diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome and three metachronous malignancies.
Lynch Syndrome is a genetic condition that increases a person’s risk of developing colon, uterine, ovarian, stomach, and other cancers. It happens because of a mutation in genes that are supposed to fix DNA errors in the body. When these genes don’t work properly, damaged cells grow uncontrollably, leading to cancer, said a note issued by the American Oncology Institute.
The patient was first diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy for adjuvant treatment. In 2019, during a routine check-up, she was diagnosed with tongue cancer. She had got a surgery done for removal of the tumor and nearby lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy for further treatment.
While she remained on regular follow-up, doctors found a mass in her left colon in 2024. Further evaluation confirmed cancer in the lower part of the left colon. She underwent surgery again for removal of the affected part, followed by chemotherapy.
“As three metachronous malignancies in a single patient are rare, a genetic workup was done and the patient was diagnosed as having Lynch Syndrome,” according to the note.
Kalyan Polavarapu, senior consultant–surgical oncologist at AOI emphasised the importance of genetic screening in such cases. “Lynch Syndrome significantly increases the risk of multiple cancers. Early diagnosis and vigilant follow-up play a crucial role in improving survival rates,” he said.
The patient is on the path to recovery, the release added.
Published – February 28, 2025 09:11 am IST
