Multimodal Approach to Familial Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) development depends upon complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environment. Most tumours occur by chance, and environmental factors are thought largely responsible. Familial CRC arises in individuals where genetics plays a more influential role. This group may be categorised into low, moderate or high risk for CRC. This risk is higher in families with more relatives affected by cancer, and when tumours arise at a young age. About 5 % of CRC falls into the high-risk group, where genotype plays a fundamental role in the inheritance of bowel cancer. Lynch syndrome and polyposis syndromes fall into this group.