How to Pronounce Lynching Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome is pronounced LINCH SIN-drohm. The first word rhymes with "pinch," and the second word has the stress on the first syllable (SIN), which rhymes with "tin."

The stress falls on the first syllable of "syndrome" — you say SIN-drohm, not sin-DROHM. A common mistake is putting the stress on the second syllable, but that's incorrect.

Lynch Syndrome breaks down as: Lynch (1 syllable) + Syn-drome (2 syllables), for a total of 3 syllables. You say it as one unit: LINCH SIN-drohm.

Syndrome comes from Greek words meaning "to run together." In medicine, it refers to a group of signs or features that tend to occur together as part of a condition. Think of it as a collection of related medical characteristics that go hand-in-hand.

The term "syndrome" is used because this condition is identified by a specific pattern of inherited genetic characteristics, rather than a single cause or process. A syndrome describes how different features cluster together, which is why doctors use this word.

Lynch Syndrome is often shortened to HNPCC, which stands for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. You pronounce the abbreviation by saying each letter: H-N-P-C-C.

Lynch Syndrome is an inherited genetic condition — meaning it runs in families — that is associated with increased risk for certain cancers. It's also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Here's an example: "The doctor explained that Lynch Syndrome runs in her family." This shows you using the term to refer to the condition as a whole.