Table 1 Diagnostic criteria for hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes

1.

Definitive HNPCC [2–4]

Amsterdam II criteria:

1) at least 3 relatives affected by HNPCC associated cancer (colorectal, endometrial, small bowel, ureter, renal pelvis); at least one should be the first degree relative of the other two;

2) at least two successive generations should be affected;

3) at least one cancer should be diagnosed before the age of 50;

4) familial adenomatos polyposis (FAP) should be excluded;

5) tumors should be verified by pathological examination

2.

Late onset HNPCC

Amsterdam II criteria without age limitation

3.

Suspected HNPCC [5, 6]

1) at least 2 first degree relatives with HNPCC associated cancer (colorectal, endometrial, small bowel, urinary tract);

2) at least one cancer should be diagnosed before the age of 50

4.

Familial colorectal cancer (FCC) [7]

1) Colorectal cancer in at least 2 first or second degree relatives;

2) colorectal cancer diagnosed at relatively young age;

3) HNPCC and FAP should be excluded

5.

Cancer familial aggregation (CFA)

at least 3 first degree blood relatives with malignancy of any localization