Read about different genes that are linked to hereditary cancer, their associated risks and guidelines for screening, preventing and treating cancers in people with inherited mutations in these genes.
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Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing

Hereditary Cancer Genes and Risk > By Gene Mutation > STK11 > Cancer Risk

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Overview
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Cancer Risk
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Risk Management
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Cancer Treatment
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Other Considerations

Cancer risk associated with an inherited STK11 mutation

If you have tested positive for a STK11 mutation, we recommend consulting with a genetics expert who can assess your personal and family history of cancer, and can help you determine the best risk management plan.

People with an inherited STK11 have a greatly increased risk of developing several types of cancer.


Risks for women

Women who have an inherited mutation in STK11 have an increased lifetime risk for these cancers:

  • Breast cancer: The lifetime risk for a women with a STK11 mutation is about 32 - 54 percent compared to 12.5 percent for an average risk woman. 
  • Ovarian cancer: The lifetime risk for a women with a STK11 mutation is about 18 - 21 (especially a rare type called a Sertoli cell tumor) compared to 1.3 percent for an average risk woman. 
  • Endometrial cancer: The lifetime risk for a women with a STK11 mutation is about 9 percent compared to 3 percent for an average risk woman. 
  • Cervical cancer: The lifetime risk for a women with a STK11 mutation is about 10 percent compared to less than 1 percent for an average risk woman. 


Risks for men

Men who have a mutation in STK11 have about a 9% lifetime risk of developing a rare type of testicular cancer called a Sertoli cell tumor compared to less than 1% for men in the general population.

Risks for men and women

Men and women who have a mutation in STK11 are at increased risk of developing these cancers. 

  • Colorectal cancer: The lifetime risk for people with an STK11 mutation is about 39 percent compared to 4 percent for an average risk person. 
  • Pancreatic cancer: The lifetime risk is 11 - 36 percent compared to 1.5 percent for an average risk person. 
  • Stomach (gastric) cancer: The lifetime risk is 29 percent compared to less than 1 percent for the average risk person.
  • Small intestine cancer: The lifetime risk is 13 percent compared to less than 1 percent for the average risk person.
  • Lung cancer: The lifetime risk is 7 - 17 percent. 

Graph of lifetime risk for breast cancer in women with an <abbr data-toggle='tooltip' class='glossary-tip tt-stk11' title='<p>STK11 is a gene found on chromosome 19.&nbsp;Mutations in STK11 are associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, a rare disorder that leads to increased risk of noncancerous growths and increased risk of certain cancers.&nbsp;</p> <p>People with STK11 mutations are at a greatly increased risk of:</p> <p>breast cancer in women (up to 50% lifetime risk)<br /> colon cancer (up to 39% lifetime risk)<br /> pancreatic cancer (up to 36% lifetime risk)<br /> stomach cancer (up to 29% lifetime risk)<br /> ovarian cancer (up to 21% lifetime risk)<br /> lung cancer (up to 17% lifetime risk)<br /> small intestine cancer (up to 13% lifetime risk)<br /> cervical cancer (up to 10% lifetime risk)<br /> uterine cancer (up to 9% lifetime risk)</p> <p>See also Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome&nbsp;</p> ' >STK11</abbr> mutation     Graph of lifetime ovarian cancer risk in women with an <abbr data-toggle='tooltip' class='glossary-tip tt-stk11' title='<p>STK11 is a gene found on chromosome 19.&nbsp;Mutations in STK11 are associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, a rare disorder that leads to increased risk of noncancerous growths and increased risk of certain cancers.&nbsp;</p> <p>People with STK11 mutations are at a greatly increased risk of:</p> <p>breast cancer in women (up to 50% lifetime risk)<br /> colon cancer (up to 39% lifetime risk)<br /> pancreatic cancer (up to 36% lifetime risk)<br /> stomach cancer (up to 29% lifetime risk)<br /> ovarian cancer (up to 21% lifetime risk)<br /> lung cancer (up to 17% lifetime risk)<br /> small intestine cancer (up to 13% lifetime risk)<br /> cervical cancer (up to 10% lifetime risk)<br /> uterine cancer (up to 9% lifetime risk)</p> <p>See also Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome&nbsp;</p> ' >STK11</abbr> mutation

Graph of lifetime risk for colorectal cancer in people with an <abbr data-toggle='tooltip' class='glossary-tip tt-stk11' title='<p>STK11 is a gene found on chromosome 19.&nbsp;Mutations in STK11 are associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, a rare disorder that leads to increased risk of noncancerous growths and increased risk of certain cancers.&nbsp;</p> <p>People with STK11 mutations are at a greatly increased risk of:</p> <p>breast cancer in women (up to 50% lifetime risk)<br /> colon cancer (up to 39% lifetime risk)<br /> pancreatic cancer (up to 36% lifetime risk)<br /> stomach cancer (up to 29% lifetime risk)<br /> ovarian cancer (up to 21% lifetime risk)<br /> lung cancer (up to 17% lifetime risk)<br /> small intestine cancer (up to 13% lifetime risk)<br /> cervical cancer (up to 10% lifetime risk)<br /> uterine cancer (up to 9% lifetime risk)</p> <p>See also Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome&nbsp;</p> ' >STK11</abbr> mutation     Lifetime risk for pancreatic cancer in people with an <abbr data-toggle='tooltip' class='glossary-tip tt-stk11' title='<p>STK11 is a gene found on chromosome 19.&nbsp;Mutations in STK11 are associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, a rare disorder that leads to increased risk of noncancerous growths and increased risk of certain cancers.&nbsp;</p> <p>People with STK11 mutations are at a greatly increased risk of:</p> <p>breast cancer in women (up to 50% lifetime risk)<br /> colon cancer (up to 39% lifetime risk)<br /> pancreatic cancer (up to 36% lifetime risk)<br /> stomach cancer (up to 29% lifetime risk)<br /> ovarian cancer (up to 21% lifetime risk)<br /> lung cancer (up to 17% lifetime risk)<br /> small intestine cancer (up to 13% lifetime risk)<br /> cervical cancer (up to 10% lifetime risk)<br /> uterine cancer (up to 9% lifetime risk)</p> <p>See also Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome&nbsp;</p> ' >STK11</abbr> mutation

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