| Increasingly, direct genetic
testing for germline mutations in
MLH1,
MSH2, and MSH6
is used to diagnose hereditary
nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in patients with
a suggestive personal or family history. In general, the following "red flags" in a patient 's personal or family history should raise suspicion for HNPCC: |
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Colorectal or endometrial cancer diagnosed prior to age 50
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Two or more HNPCC-related cancers in an individual or a family51
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