Muir-Torre syndrome

Muir-Torre Syndrome (MTS) is a subtype of Lynch syndrome. It is an inherited condition that increases a person’s lifetime risk for developing rare types of skin, colorectal, and genitourinary tract cancers.

The facts

  • Muir-Torre Syndrome (MTS) is an inherited disorder sometimes found in people with colorectal cancer.
  • As with Lynch syndrome, MTS is caused by an inherited harmful change (mutation) in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes.
  • The mutation is passed from one generation to the next, and in a family with a parent who has an inherited change in their DNA, each child has 50% of being diagnosed with MTS.

  • The MLH1 and MSH2 genes are most commonly mutated in MTS patients.

    More about mutations

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Skin cancer and MTS

The presence of specific types of skin or internal cancers are the primary symptoms of MTS.

Skin Cancers

  • Sebaceous adenoma is the most frequent symptom in people with MTS (80-99%).
  • Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid is an aggressive cancer that spreads to the eye orbit and can be fatal.
  • Additional skin cancers include sebaceous epitheliomas and keratoacanthomas.
young person caring for an older individual

Internal cancers

  • 30-79% of MTS patients have colon cancer or stomach cancer.
  • 5-29% of MTS patients have endometrial (uterine) or breast cancer.
  • About 60% of people with MTS develop metastatic disease.
cell under microscope

Diagnosis and risks

Since MTS is a subtype of Lynch syndrome, the diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment of this disorder is very similar.

Top resources

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Legislation introduced to address young-onset CRC

Explore the urgent need for the Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act (HR 7714), legislation aimed at combating the rising incidence of colorectal cancer among younger adults through enhanced screening, education, and research.

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