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hereditary cancer syndrome

(heh-REH-dih-tayr-ee KAN-ser SIN-drome)
A type of inherited disorder in which there is a higher-than-normal risk of certain types of cancer. Hereditary cancer syndromes are caused by inherited genetic variants and may be associated with several clinical manifestations. Examples of hereditary cancer syndromes include Lynch syndrome and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. Also called family cancer syndrome and inherited cancer syndrome.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Genetics Terms