Get notified of page updates

MSH6: Cancer Risks

People with a mutation in the MSH6 gene have Lynch syndrome and an increased risk for several types of cancer. Learn about these cancer risks. Stay up to date by signing up for our community newsletter.

Glossary on

off

Cancer Risks Associated with Inherited Mutations

People with an mutation have . mutations increase the risk for colorectal, endometrial and other types of cancer listed in the table below.

Experts at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) created guidelines which estimate the cancer risks for people with mutations. These cancer risk estimates are updated based on the latest research. It is important to note that cancer risks are estimates over the course of a person's lifetime. Your lifetime risk and risk over the next five years will vary depending on:

current age.
sex assigned at birth.
specific mutation.
personal and family health history.
diet, exercise, lifestyle and other factors.

If you or a relative have tested positive for an mutation, we recommend speaking with a genetics expert. They can look at your personal and family medical history to help you understand and decide on a plan for managing your risk.

Cancer risk table

Cancer Type	Lifetime Risk with an Mutation	Lifetime Risk for General Population	Average Age of Onset with	Average Age of Onset in General Population
Colorectal	10 - 44%	4%	42 - 69 years	68 - 72 years
Endometrial	16 - 49%	3.1%	53 - 55 years	60 years
Ovarian	Up to 13%	1.1%	46 years	63 years
Kidney/ureter	Up to 5.5%	1.8%	65 - 69 years	Not specified
Bladder	Up to 8.2%	2.2%	71 years	73 years
Gastric	<1 - 7.9%	0.8%	Limited data	68 years
Small bowel	<1 - 4%	0.3%	54 years	60s - 70s
	May be elevated	12.8%	63 years	66 years
Brain	0.8 - 1.8%	0.6%	43 - 54 years	59 years
Biliary tract	0.2 - 1.0%	No data	No data	70 - 72 years
Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familiar High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Endometrial, Esophageal, Gastric; v.1 2026.