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Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS) is a form of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) characterized by cutaneous sebaceous tumors, keratoacanthomas and at least one visceral malignancy, most frequently gastrointestinal carcinoma.
Features include always present findings: Sebaceous gland carcinoma and Ovarian neoplasm; and common findings: Colon cancer. 12 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Digestive system | 1 | Benign gastrointestinal tract tumors |
Individuals with Lynch syndrome are at increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) and other cancers including those of the endometrium, ovary, stomach, small bowel, urinary tract, biliary tract, brain (usually glioblastoma), skin (sebaceous adenomas, sebaceous carcinomas, and keratoacanthomas), pancreas, and prostate. Table 3. Cancer Risks by Gene in Individuals with Lynch Syndrome by Age 70 Years Compared to the General Population
CancerLocation | GeneralPopulationRisk by Age 741 | Cancer Risk by Age 702,3 |
|---|---|---|
EPCAM F | M | F |
Any | 20% | 78% |
Colorectum | 2%4 | 44% |
Endometrium | 1%4 | 35% |
13% | 12%5 Ovary | 0.7% |
3% | Stomach | 1% |
Small bowel | 1% Ureter, kidney | 1% |
Urinary bladder | 1% | 3% |
Prostate | 4% | 7% |
16% | 5% | 5% |
Brain | 1% | 2% |
Breast | 5%4 | 11% |
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
MLH1 encodes mutL homolog 1 (756 aa). Heterodimerizes with PMS2 to form MutL alpha, a component of the post-replicative DNA mismatch repair system (MMR). Highest expression in Cells EBV-transformed lymphocytes (48.5 TPM) and Testis (44.5 TPM).
Muir-Torre syndrome is associated with mutations in the MLH1 gene on chromosome 3.
The MLH1 protein participates in MLH1 variants-defective DNA mismatch repair pathway.
MLH1 is classified as a druggable target (Clinically Actionable and Druggable Genome categories) with score 7.0.
MSH2 encodes mutS homolog 2 (934 aa). Component of the post-replicative DNA mismatch repair system (MMR). Highest expression in Cells EBV-transformed lymphocytes (34.5 TPM) and Brain Cerebellar Hemisphere (23.4 TPM).
Muir-Torre syndrome is associated with mutations in the MSH2 gene on chromosome 2.
The MSH2 protein participates in Defective Mismatch Repair Associated With MSH2, Mismatch repair (MMR) directed by MSH2:MSH6 (MutSalpha), and Mismatch repair (MMR) directed by MSH2:MSH3 (MutSbeta) pathways.
MSH2 is classified as a druggable target (Clinically Actionable and Dna Repair categories) with score 6.5.
EPCAM. The risk for extracolonic cancers is dependent on the size of the deletion. 3' EPCAM deletions have been shown to confer a lower risk for extracolonic cancers, whereas deletions that extend into MSH2 confer extracolonic cancer risks similar to intragenic MSH2 pathogenic variants .
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
Penetrance of CRCs and extracolonic cancers associated with pathogenic variants in an MMR gene or EPCAM is less than 100% . Therefore, some individuals with a cancer-predisposing pathogenic variant in an MMR gene or EPCAM may never develop cancer.
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for Lynch syndrome have been published.
A diagnosis of Lynch syndrome should be suspected in a proband with:
A diagnosis of a tumor of the Lynch syndrome spectrum (e.g., colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, stomach, small bowel, urinary tract [urothelial], biliary tract, prostate, brain [usually glioblastoma], skin [sebaceous adenomas, sebaceous carcinomas, and keratoacanthomas], and pancreas) with one of the following on tumor tissue
testing:
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes Table 4. Hereditary Cancer Syndromes with Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Differential Diagnosis of Lynch Syndrome
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Polyps | Colorectal Cancer | Other Associated Cancers / Clinical Manifestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RPS20 | RPS20-assoc hereditary nonpolyposis CRC1 | AD | No |
Genetic testing for MLH1, MSH2 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for Muir-Torre syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for Muir-Torre syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, the evaluations summarized in are recommended.
Table 6.
Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with Lynch Syndrome
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Colonoscopy w/removal of precancerous polyps1 | Beginning between ages 20 25 yrs or 2-5 yrs before earliest CRC diagnosis in family, whichever is earlier
| Educate females re symptoms of endometrial cancers (e.g., abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding). | Eval of symptoms should incl endometrial biopsy every 1-2 yrs2
Screening by endometrial biopsy2 | Beginning between ages 30 35 yrs
| Educate females re symptoms assoc w/ovarian cancer (e.g., pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating, abdominal girth, difficulty eating, early satiety, urinary frequency or urgency). | Symptoms that persist for several wks are a change from baseline should prompt eval by physician.
Gastric duodenal
cancers | • Consider upper endoscopy exam esp for those w/family history of gastric cancer those of Asian ancestry.
Biopsies should be evaluated for H pylori infections so that appropriate treatment can be given as needed.3
| Beginning at age 40 yrs
| Consider capsule endoscopy small bowel enterography. | In symptomatic persons
Urinary tract cancers
(renal pelvis, ureter,
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
There is accumulating evidence that a high body mass, cigarette smoking, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol increase the risk of CRC in Lynch syndrome. The direction and strength of observed associations are similar to those for the general population .
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
Chromoendoscopy vs narrow band imaging (NBI) vs high-definition white-light colonoscopy for Lynch syndrome surveillance. Two studies compared different colonoscopy imaging modalities against chromoendoscopy. In a study of 138 individuals with Lynch syndrome undergoing back-to-back colonoscopies (first with NBI followed by indigo carmine chromoendoscopy), the adenoma detection rate (ADR) for NBI alone was 20.3% while the ADR for both was 30.4%. A 10.1% difference in detection failed to reach the prespecified noninferiority assumption margin of 5% . In another study of 256 individuals with Lynch syndrome randomized to indigo carmine chromoendoscopy versus high-definition white-light colonoscopy, no significant difference in ADR was detected by pancolonic chromoendoscpy (34.4%; 95% CI 26.
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
1 trial found
Table 8. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Lynch Syndrome
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Colorectal cancer | Colonoscopy w/removal of precancerous polyps1 | Every 1-2 yrs beginning between ages 20 25 yrs or 2-5 yrs before earliest CRC diagnosis in the family, whichever is earlier Endometrial |
cancer | Educate females re symptoms of endometrial cancers (e.g., abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding). | Annually Consider transvaginal ultrasound exam endometrial biopsy2 |
Ovarian cancer | Educate females re symptoms assoc w/ovarian cancer (e.g., pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating, abdominal girth, difficulty eating, early satiety, urinary frequency or urgency). | Annually Gastric duodenal cancers |
Distal small bowel | Consider capsule endoscopy small bowel enterography. | In symptomatic persons Urinary tract cancers (renal pelvis, |
ureter, /or bladder) | Consider urine analysis w/urine cytology to identify microscopic hematuria in those w/family history of urothelial cancer.4 | Annually beginning between ages 30 35 yrs |
Pancreatic cancer | Consider pancreatic cancer screening in those w/family history of pancreatic cancer w/alternating EUS /or MRI/MRCP | Annually Other cancers; Follow general population screening guidelines seek prompt medical attention for changes in health or persistent symptoms. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 2 always present features, 1 common feature.
1 clinical trial registered, 1 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions and gene therapy. Pipeline includes 1 NA. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
41 publications have been identified in PubMed for Muir-Torre syndrome. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (51%), Review / Meta-Analysis (22%), and Other (15%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 21 | 51% |
Research summaries | 9 | 22% |
Other research | 6 | 15% |
Laboratory research | 3 | 7% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 1 | 2% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 2% |
Gall R (2026). [PMID: 32965894](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32965894/). *Unknown Journal*. [Other]
Farci F (2026). [PMID: 32965819](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32965819/). *Unknown Journal*. [Other]
Maghfour J (2026). [PMID: 40902656](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40902656/). *J Am Acad Dermatol*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Abu-Ghazaleh N (2026). [PMID: 41255077](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41255077/). *Australas J Dermatol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Torres-Laboy P (2026). [PMID: 39808046](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39808046/). *Unknown Journal*. [Other]
Hulse J (2026). [PMID: 41307363](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41307363/). *J Cutan Pathol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Chan-Pak-Choon F (2026). [PMID: 41551037](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41551037/). *JID Innov*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Wiedemeyer K (2026). [PMID: 41456873](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41456873/). *Histopathology*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Le Cleuziat I (2026). [PMID: 41638986](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41638986/). *J Fr Ophtalmol*. [Other]
Jia H (2026). [PMID: 41720232](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41720232/). *Am J Ophthalmol*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 11:55 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about Muir-Torre syndrome
High (MMR proficient tumors)
Adult |
APC | Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) (See APC-Assoc Polyposis Conditions.) | AD | Colonic, gastric duodenal adenomas (100 cumulative polyps) | ~100% if untreated | 39 (range: 34-43); Polyp diagnosis: 16 (range: 7-36) |
risk of medulloblastoma, thyroid papillary carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, pancreatic, gastric duodenal cancers Attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) (See APC-Assoc Polyposis Conditions.) | AD | Colonic, gastric duodenal adenomas (10-100 cumulative polyps) | 70% by age 80 yrs | 50 | Upper GI findings thyroid duodenal cancer risks are similar to FAP.; Other extraintestinal manifestations are unusual.; Desmoid tumors assoc w/3' APC variants |
POLE | Polymerase proofreading-assoc polyposis (PPAP) (See OMIM 615083.) | AD | Colonic adenomas (0-100 cumulative polyps) | 30%-40% by age 70 yrs2; CRC may develop in absence of polyposis. | — |
Note: Most CRCs are MSS; some are MSI high. | 502 | risk of cancers of endometrium, ovary, brain, breast, other tumor types; Adenomas in upper GI tract | — | — | — |
POLD1 | Polymerase proofreading-assoc polyposis (PPAP) (See OMIM 612591.) | AD | Colonic adenomas (0-100 cumulative polyps) | 50%-60% by age 70 yrs2; CRC may develop in absence of polyposis. | — |
Note: Most CRCs are MSS; some are MSI high. | 35-402 | risk of cancers of endometrium, ovary, brain, breast, other tumor types; Adenomas in upper GI tract MUTYH | — | — | — |
MUTYH polyposis | AR | Colonic adenomas (10-100 cumulative polyps); Hyperplastic /or serrated polyps may occur.; Duodenal adenomas | 43%-63% by age 60 yrs; 80%-90% lifetime risk if untreated; CRC may develop in absence of polyposis | — | — |
Note: Most CRCs are MSS; a minority are MSI high. | 48 | Duodenal adenomas are common w/ risk of duodenal cancer.; risk of ovarian bladder malignancies; Additional features: thyroid nodules, benign adrenal lesions, jawbone cysts, CHRPE NTHL1 | — | — | — |
NTHL1 tumor syndrome | AR | Colonic adenomas (1-100 cumulative polyps); Hyperplastic /or serrated polyps may occur. | — | — | — |
Duodenal adenomas | High lifetime risk | 613 | High risk of multiple primary tumors; risk of breast endometrial cancers other tumors types: cervical, urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, meningiomas, unspecified brain tumors, basal cell carcinomas, head neck squamous cell carcinomas, hem... | — | — |
Source: GeneReviews — "Lynch Syndrome"