Novel Cancer Prevention Strategies in Individuals With Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Focus on BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch Syndrome.

Germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes confer elevated risks of breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Lynch syndrome (LS) is associated with increased risks of multiple cancer types including colorectal and uterine cancers. Current cancer risk mitigation strategies have focused on pharmacologic risk reduction, enhanced surveillance, and preventive surgeries. While these approaches can be effective, they stand to be improved on because of either limited efficacy or undesirable impact on quality of life. The current review summarizes ongoing investigational efforts in cancer risk prevention strategies for patients with germline PVs in BRCA1, BRCA2, or LS-associated genes. These efforts span radiation, surgery, and pharmacology including vaccine strategies. Understanding the molecular events involved in the premalignant to malignant transformation in high-risk individuals may ultimately contribute significantly to novel prevention strategies.

Preventive strategies in familial and hereditary colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While most cases are sporadic, a significant proportion of cases are associated with familial and hereditary syndromes. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease, and those with hereditary syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis have a significantly higher risk. In these populations, preventive strategies are critical for reducing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. This review provides an overview of current preventive strategies for individuals at increased risk of colorectal cancer due to familial or hereditary factors. The manuscript includes a discussion of risk assessment and genetic testing, highlighting the importance of identifying at-risk individuals and families. This review describes various preventive measures, including surveillance colonoscopy, chemoprevention, and prophylactic surgery, and their respective benefits and limitations. Together, this work highlights the importance of preventive strategies in familial and hereditary colorectal cancer.

Cancer prevention in cancer predisposition syndromes: A protocol for testing the feasibility of building a hereditary cancer research registry and nurse navigator follow up model.

Monogenic, high penetrance syndromes, conferring an increased risk of malignancies in multiple organs, are important contributors to the hereditary burden of cancer. Early detection and risk reduction strategies in patients with a cancer predisposition syndrome can save their lives. However, despite evidence supporting the benefits of early detection and risk reduction strategies, most Canadian jurisdictions have not implemented programmatic follow up of these patients. In our study site in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada, there is no centralized, provincial registry of high-risk individuals. There is no continuity or coordination of care providing cancer genetics expertise and no process to ensure that patients are referred to the appropriate specialists or risk management interventions. This paper describes a study protocol to test the feasibility of obtaining and analyzing patient risk management data, specifically patients affected by hereditary breast ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC; BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes) and Lynch syndrome (LS; MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 genes). Through a retrospective cohort study, we will describe these patients' adherence to risk management guidelines and test its relationship to health outcomes, including cancer incidence and stage. Through a qualitative interviews, we will determine the priorities and preferences of patients with any inherited cancer mutation for a follow up navigation model of risk management. Study data will inform a subsequent funding application focused on creating and evaluating a research registry and follow up nurse navigation model. It is not currently known what proportion of cancer mutation carriers are receiving care according to guidelines. Data collected in this study will provide clinical uptake and health outcome information so gaps in care can be identified. Data will also provide patient preference information to inform ongoing and planned research with cancer mutation carriers.

Panels des cancers héréditaires adultes par séquençage de nouvelle génération / Next generation sequencing hereditary cancer gene panels

MISE EN CONTEXTE ET MANDAT: Les demandes d'autorisation visant des services de biologie médicale non disponibles au Québec concernent majoritairement le séquençage à haut débit de plusieurs gènes en simultané selon une approche dite de nouvelle génération. Or, les laboratoires de la province possèdent la technologie et l'expertise pour effectuer ces analyses. Dans l'optique de réaliser des économies d'échelle et de favoriser une utilisation plus judicieuse des ressources, le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) a entrepris, sous la gouvernance du Réseau québécois de diagnostic moléculaire (RQDM), de rapatrier rapidement plusieurs analyses effectuées par séquençage de nouvelle génération (SNG). Le déploiement de ce vaste projet entraîne indubitablement des opportunités et des risques pour l'offre de services globale et nécessite une réflexion en ce sens. À la demande du MSSS, l'Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS)

BACKGROUND AND MANDATE: Requests for authorization for medical laboratory services that are not available in Québec are mainly for high-throughput simultaneous sequencing of multiple genes using the so-called next-generation approach. The province's laboratories have the technology and expertise to perform these tests. With a view to achieving economies of scale and promoting more judicious use of this technology, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) has undertaken to quickly repatriate several tests performed by next-generation sequencing (NGS), under the governance of the Réseau québécois de diagnostic moléculaire (RQDM). The rollout of this vast project undoubtedly entails opportunities and risks with respect to the overall offer of services and requires reflection along these lines. At MSSS's request, the Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) is conducting a rapid assessment of the relevance of, the issues surrounding and, when appropriate, the optimal implementation mechanisms for the repatriation of these tests, from the overall perspective of Québec's healthcare system. The present report deals specifically with the analysis of NGS hereditary cancer gene panels. METHOD: The process included a rapid review of the scientific and grey literature for the clinical and economic aspects, a budget impact analysis, and consultations with Québec experts. Only documents containing synthesis data or recommendations concerning the use of an NGS test for the molecular diagnosis of hereditary cancers were selected. INESSS set up an advisory committee, whose members were invited to express their views on the various issues and considerations regarding the repatriation of the proposed tests. The final findings are based on the triangulation of the scientific data, the positions of the main learned societies consulted, and the contextual data and experiential knowledge gathered. CLINICAL CONTEXTS AND PROPOSED TESTS: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. It is estimated that approximately 40% of Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime and that 25% will die from it. Up to 10% of the most common cancers are hereditary. In other words, they are caused by pathogenic mutations in one or more oncogenes. The purpose of hereditary cancer gene panels analyzed by NGS is to identify or confirm the genetic etiology of a clinical presentation suggestive of a hereditary cancer syndrome. The cancers covered by these panels concern the following anatomical sites: breast, ovary, endometrium, colon/rectum, prostate, pancreas, stomach, and conditions associated with a predisposition to intestinal polyposis. CLINICAL VALIDITY: In hereditary genetics, the clinical validity of a multigene panel analyzed by sequencing is determined, among other things, by the association of the genes in the panel with the targeted disease. Panels should therefore include all the genes for which variants have been clearly identified as being responsible for at least one of the targeted cancers (pathogenic variants). The requester intends to use eight virtual panels of genes associated with hereditary cancers, which will be analyzed using the sequencing data from the 105 genes in the Canadian Inherited Cancer Panel. Of these, a total of 31 genes (overall virtual panel) will be reported based on the clinical presentation and current oncogenetic knowledge. CLINICAL UTILITY: Data from the literature and the expert consultations are in accord that the proposed molecular investigations help improve the health of individuals by identifying those who are genetically predisposed to developing one or more cancers. In fact, targeted and individualized interventions aimed at detecting cancer earlier and preventing its occurrence or recurrence can be carried out in these individuals. The learned societies and experts consulted also agree that priority should be given to using a multigene panel approach instead of a single-gene approach, taking into account a combination of information regarding the clinical presentation, examination and family history. The genes included in the proposed panels and the criteria for accessing the panels are consistent with information found in the literature. IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS: In light of the consultations held, standardizing the criteria for accessing genetic tests across the province and creating clinical algorithms to guide the care and services offered to patients are key elements for implementing these panels in the healthcare system. As well, updating mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that patient management is supported by relevant scientific evidence. Having non-medical genetics specialists order the test, manage the results, and do the patient follow-ups could ease the burden on geneticists, but they would have to be supported by specialized training and detailed, up-to-date clinical algorithms. Obtaining patients' informed consent is paramount, regardless of who orders the test. The implementation of hereditary cancer gene panels should be accompanied by consistency in the quality of molecular diagnostic service and in the turnaround time across the province that is comparable to that currently offered by outside laboratories. In addition, some experts expressed concern about the lack of clear policies on the management and disclosure of variants of uncertain significance (VUS). ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: INESSS is not able to rule on the efficiency of the NGS for hereditary cancer panels. In fact, no economic evaluation in the Québec context has been carried out, and the results in the literature are either not available for some cancers, or uncertain or not transposable to the Québec context for others. With regard to the budget impact, based on the assumptions made, including hereditary cancer gene panels in the Répertoire québécois et système de mesure des procédures de biologie médicale could generate savings of close to $600,000 over the first three years in serving patients throughout Québec. According to the sensitivity analyses performed, these savings could range from close to $9.5M to costs of approximately $1.2M for the same period. It should be noted that the extent of these savings depends largely on the cost of implementing this technology, the sequencing throughput of each instrument, and the number of tests performed. In fact, if there were to be a significant increase in the number of tests, as proposed by the experts consulted, the repatriation costs would be greater than those currently generated by sending the tests outside Québec. Lastly, an increase in genetic counselling resources, which was not taken into consideration in the analyses, could generate additional costs and reduce the potential savings. CONCLUSION: The findings and conclusions in this report are based on a rapid review of the scientific and grey literature and on contextual data and experiential knowledge. The approach consists of a rapid risk analysis for guiding the ministerial decision regarding the repatriation of tests for the molecular diagnosis of hereditary cancer in adults. During this exercise, certain issues were raised regarding the rollout of this test. Standardizing access to germline genetic testing for cancer predisposition syndromes across the province is a desire shared by most of the experts consulted. Using algorithms and clinical indications supported by current scientific evidence would contribute to this standardization. The ordering of this test by non-medical genetics specialists should be supervised or reserved for those who are adequately trained and able to manage posttest follow-ups. According to the experts consulted, the service offered for these tests must be comparable to that provided by the outside laboratories, particularly in terms of quality, reliability, speed, and result traceability. A number of experts also stressed the importance of properly planning, or planning for, the genetic counselling and clinical patient follow-up needs and resources at the provincial level. Lastly, a rapid review of the economic literature and a budget impact analysis revealed several uncertainties. They call for caution with respect to these panels' efficiency and the projected potential savings.

Creating Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Guidelines for Transgender Patients With BRCA Mutations.

More than 1.5 million individuals in the United States identify as transgender. Transgender individuals have lower rates of health care utilization and higher rates of health care discrimination than cisgender patients. With a growing interest in providing comprehensive and compassionate care to the transgender community, there has been a concurrent increase in research on transgender health. However, lack of long-term data limits understanding the effects of hormone therapy on cancer risk factors in this population. This is particularly relevant for patients with hormonally mediated cancers and those at elevated risk from hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes. Few cancer-screening and management guidelines currently exist for this population. Specific practices guided by the nuances of gender identity and gender-affirming care are essential to improve clinical management and to avoid further alienating a population that is already marginalized from the health care system. This commentary summarizes screening, management, and surveillance strategies devised for cisgender patients to offer corresponding recommendations tailored for transgender BRCA mutation carriers. In doing so, it highlights critical unanswered questions pertaining to the care of these patients. To address these questions, we must prioritize this population and adopt more inclusive frameworks in medicine and research.

Hereditary Cancer Risk Using a Genetic Chatbot Before Routine Care Visits.

OBJECTIVE: To examine user uptake and experience with a clinical chatbot that automates hereditary cancer risk triage by collecting personal and family cancer history in routine women's health care settings. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective observational study of patients who used a web-based chatbot before routine care appointments to assess their risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, and adenomatous polyposis syndromes. Outcome measures included uptake and completion of the risk-assessment and educational section of the chatbot interaction and identification of hereditary cancer risk as evaluated against National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria. RESULTS: Of the 95,166 patients invited, 61,070 (64.2%) engaged with the clinical chatbot. The vast majority completed the cancer risk assessment (89.4%), and most completed the genetic testing education section (71.4%), indicating high acceptability among those who opted to engage. The mean duration of use was 15.4 minutes (SD 2 hours, 56.2 minutes) when gaps of inactivity longer than 5 minutes were excluded. A personal history of cancer was reported by 19.1% (10,849/56,656) and a family history of cancer was reported by 66.7% (36,469/54,652) of patients who provided the relevant information. One in four patients (14,850/54,547) screened with the chatbot before routine care appointments met National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria for genetic testing. Among those who were tested, 5.6% (73/1,313) had a disease-causing pathogenic variant. CONCLUSION: A chatbot digital health tool can help identify patients at high risk for hereditary cancer syndromes before routine care appointments. This scalable intervention can effectively provide cancer risk assessment, engage patients with educational information, and facilitate a path toward preventive genetic testing. FUNDING SOURCE: Implementation of the chatbot in clinics was funded by industry support from commercial genetic testing laboratories Ambry, Invitae, and Progenity.

IMProving care After inherited Cancer Testing (IMPACT) study: protocol of a randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of two interventions designed to improve cancer risk management and family communication of genetic test results.

BACKGROUND: Implementing genetic testing for inherited cancer predisposition into routine clinical care offers a tremendous opportunity for cancer prevention and early detection. However, genetic testing itself does not improve outcomes; rather, outcomes depend on implemented follow-up care. The IMPACT study is a hybrid type I randomized effectiveness-implementation trial to simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of two interventions for individuals with inherited cancer predisposition focused on: 1) increasing family communication (FC) of genetic test results; and 2) improving engagement with guideline-based cancer risk management (CRM). METHODS: This prospective study will recruit a racially, geographically, and socioeconomically diverse population of individuals with a documented pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant in an inherited cancer gene. Eligible participants will be asked to complete an initial trial survey and randomly assigned to one of three arms: A) GeneSHARE, a website designed to increase FC of genetic test results; B) My Gene Counsel's Living Lab Report, a digital tool designed to improve understanding of genetic test results and next steps, including CRM guidelines; or C) a control arm in which participants continue receiving standard care. Follow-up surveys will be conducted at 1, 3, and 12 months following randomization. These surveys include single-item measures, scales, and indices related to: 1) FC and CRM behaviors and behavioral factors following the COM-B theoretical framework (i.e., capability, opportunity, and motivation); 2) implementation outcomes (i.e., acceptability, appropriateness, exposure, and reach); and 3) other contextual factors (i.e., sociodemographic and clinical factors, and uncertainty, distress, and positive aspects of genetic test results). The primary outcomes are an increase in FC of genetic test results (Arm A) and improved engagement with guideline-based CRM without overtreatment or undertreatment (Arm B) by the 12-month follow-up survey. DISCUSSION: Our interventions are designed to shift the paradigm by which individuals with P/LP variants in inherited cancer genes are provided with information to enhance FC of genetic test results and engagement with guideline-based CRM. The information gathered through evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of these real-world approaches is needed to modify and scale up adaptive, stepped interventions that have the potential to maximize FC and CRM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04763915, date registered: February 21, 2021). PROTOCOL VERSION: September 17th, 2021 Amendment Number 04.

Barriers and facilitators to CDH1 carriers contemplating or undergoing prophylactic total gastrectomy.

Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is an inherited cancer syndrome associated with high lifetime risk of diffuse-type gastric cancer. Current guidelines recommend individuals with HDGC undergo prophylactic total gastrectomy (PTG) to eliminate this risk. However, PTG is associated with significant lifestyle changes, post-surgical recovery, and symptom burden. This study examined factors related to decision-making about PTG in three groups of individuals who: (1) underwent PTG immediately after receiving genetic testing results; (2) delayed PTG by ≥ 1 year or; (3) declined PTG. Participants were recruited from a familial gastric cancer registry at a tertiary care hospital. Patients with CDH1 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants who contemplated and/or underwent PTG were eligible. 24 individuals contemplated PTG: 9 had immediate surgery (within a year), 8 delayed surgery, and 7 declined surgery. Data on PTG barriers and facilitators were obtained on all participants using quantitative surveys (n = 7), qualitative interviews (n = 8) or both methods (n = 9). PTG barriers included age, positive beliefs about screening, close relatives with negative PTG experiences, fertility-related concerns, and life stress. Facilitators included social support, trust in healthcare providers, understanding risk, negative beliefs about screening, family-related factors, positive or abnormal screening results, and positive attitude toward PTG. This study highlights factors related to the PTG decision-making process among individuals with HDGC from three distinct groups. Future research should explore educational interventions aimed at addressing surgery-related concerns and the limitations of screening, and might also consider incorporating close relatives as informational supports.

Rastreio de câncer na prática clínica: recomendações para a população de risco habitual / Cancer screening in clinical practice: recommendations for average risk population

Objetivo: Compilar as evidências da literatura e as recomendações das principais sociedades médicas mundiais para o rastreamento populacional de câncer, contextualizando com a relevância epidemiológica de cada subtipo da doença. Métodos: Trata-se de revisão narrativa da literatura, realizada por levantamento na base de dados PubMed® e consulta aos posicionamentos de instituições governamentais e sociedades médicas nas áreas específicas. Resultados: O rastreamento populacional sistemático foi recomendado apenas para as neoplasias de mama, colo do útero e colorretal, utilizando-se métodos, idade e periodicidade específicos. O rastreio do câncer de próstata mostrou-se controverso, e o pulmonar e o hepático recomendados apenas em tabagistas com alta carga tabágica e cirróticos, respectivamente. Não houve evidência para se recomendar atualmente o rastreamento sistemático da população geral para as neoplasias de pele, tireoide, esôfago, estômago, pâncreas, ovário, endométrio, bexiga, rins, dentre outras. Conclusão: O exame periódico de saúde do paciente saudável abrangeu a prevenção e o rastreamento do câncer para redução de morbidade e mortalidade pela doença, e a estratificação das evidências atuais teve o potencial de melhorar o direcionamento dos esforços, aumentando a cobertura, havendo maior benefício e reduzindo riscos e custos de exames desnecessários.

Objective: To gather evidence from the literature, and recommendations of the main medical societies worldwide for the population screening of cancer, contextualizing with the epidemiological relevance of each subtype of the disease. Methods: This is a narrative review of the literature, carried out through research on PubMed® database, and consultation to the governmental institutions and medical societies' opinions in specific areas. Results: Systematic population screening was recommended only for breast, cervix and colorectal cancers, using specific methods, age and periodicity. Prostate cancer screening showed to be controversial, and pulmonary and hepatic screening are recommended only in heavy smokers and cirrhotic patients, respectively. Currently, there is no evidence to recommend the screening of the general population for neoplasms of skin, thyroid, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, ovary, endometrium, bladder, and kidneys. Conclusion: The periodic health screening of the healthy patient covered the prevention and screening for cancer to reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease; the stratification of current evidence has the potential to improve the direction of efforts, broadening coverage, with more benefit, and reducing risks and costs of unnecessary tests.

Understanding mechanisms of cancer initiation and development supports the need for an implementation of primary and secondary cancer prevention.

The burden of cancer is increasing worldwide, with a continuous rise of the annual total cases. Although mortality rates due to cancer are declining in developed countries, the total number of cancer deaths continues to rise due to the increase in the number of aged people. Three main causes of cancer have been described, represented by environmental factors, hereditary factors and random factors related to defects originated during cell replication. The frequency of cancers is very different for the various tissues and there is great debate on the extent of the specific contribution of environmental factors and random factors (due to "bad luck") to cancer development. However, there is consensus that about 50% of all cases of cancer are related to environment and are preventable. Although a part of cancers is related to intrinsic mechanisms non preventable of genetic instability, it is evident that implementation of primary and secondary prevention measures is the only affordable strategy to meet from a medical and economic point of view the tremendous pressure created on healthcare structures by the increased cancer burden. It is time to bypass the paradox of disease prevention: celebrated in principle, resisted in practice.

Identification of c.1531C>T Pathogenic Variant in the CDH1 Gene as a Novel Germline Mutation of Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer.

Germline pathogenic variants in the CDH1 gene are a well-established cause of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) syndrome. The aim of this study was to characterize CDH1 mutations associated with HDGC from Chile, a country with one of the highest incidence and mortality rates in the world for gastric cancer (GC). Here, we prospectively include probands with family history/early onset of diffuse-type of GC. The whole coding sequence of the CDH1 gene was sequenced from genomic DNA in all patients, and a multidisciplinary team managed each family member with a pathogenic sequence variant. Thirty-six cases were included (median age 44 years/male 50%). Twenty-seven (75%) patients had diffuse-type GC at ≤50 years of age and 19 (53%) had first or second-degree family members with a history of HDGC. Two cases (5.5%) carried a non-synonymous germline sequence variant in the CDH1 gene: (a) The c.88C>A missense variant was found in a family with three diffuse-type GC cases; and (b) c.1531C>T a nonsense pathogenic variant was identified in a 22-year-old proband with no previous family history of HDGC. Of note, six family members carry the same nonsense pathogenic variant. Prophylactic gastrectomy in the proband's sister revealed stage I signet-ring cell carcinoma. The finding of 1531C>T pathogenic variant in the CDH1 in proband with no previous family history of HDGC warrants further study to uncover familial clustering of disease in CDH1 negative patients. This finding may be particularly relevant in high incidence countries, such as the case in this report.

An Update on Inherited Colon Cancer and Gastrointestinal Polyposis.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 5-10% of colorectal cancers arise due to a known genetic syndrome. Individuals with these cancer syndromes are also at risk of extracolonic cancers. Polyposis and nonpolyposis hereditary syndromes are generally recognized. Inclusion of next-generation sequencing technology, especially multiple-gene panel testing, in routine laboratory practice has made identifying the causes of these diseases significantly easier. PURPOSE: To summarize current knowledge of the causes, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and recommendations for presymptomatic screening of individuals at risk of hereditary gastrointestinal polyposis and colorectal cancer syndromes. We dicuss currently defined syndromes detected by multiple-gene panel next-generation sequencing; these include constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (biallelic MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 gene mutations), gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (APC gene), NTHL1-associated polyposis, polymerase proofreading-associated polyposis (POLD1, POLE genes), juvenile polyposis (SMAD4, BMPR1A genes), and serrated polyposis syndromes. Another aim is to summarize recent knowledge about well-known syndromes, including hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome), familial adenomatous polyposis, MUTYH-associated polyposis, and Peutz-Jeghers and Cowden/PTEN hamartoma tumor syndromes. CONCLUSION: Awareness of hereditary polyposis/colon cancer syndromes enables early diagnosis and prevention of cancer in affected individuals and their relatives. Genetic counseling, presymptomatic testing of at-risk individuals, and efficient screening may be beneficial for affected families. Thank to Lenka Foretová, M.D., PhD, (Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno) for a critical review of the manuscript and valuable advices. The author declares she has no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 1. 3. 2019 Accepted: 6. 6. 2019.

GAPPS - Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Proximal Polyposis of the Stomach Syndrome in 8 Families Tested at Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute - Prevention and Prophylactic Gastrectomies.

Gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS) is a rare variant of familial adenomatous polyposis. It is an autosomal-dominant cancer-predisposition syndrome with massive polyposis of the stomach and a significant risk of gastric adenocarcinoma. Li et al., 2016, described point mutations in the Ying Yang 1 binding site of the APC gene 1B promoter associated with GAPPS syndrome. The first GAPPS syndrome in a Czech family was described in 2016. At Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, GAPPS syndrome was diagnosed in eight families using Sanger sequencing. In all families, one mutation in promoter 1B of APC gene NM_001127511: c.-191T>C was detected. This mutation was not found in any patient with multiple colon polyposis without a detected classic mutation in the APC gene. In total, 24 carriers of this mutation in promoter 1B of the APC gene were detected. Out of those 24 carriers, 20 had massive gastric polyposis with more than 100 fundic glandular polyps diagnosed between the age of 22 and 65, 5 had already died of adenocarcinoma of the stomach (at the ages of 29, 40, 59, 60 and 64, respectively) and another woman was treated at the age of 29. Two female carriers do not yet have polyposis of the stomach at the ages of 31 and 65, respectively; one female carrier has incipient polyposis at the age of 58. A male carrier does not have any clinical symptoms, gastroscopy was not indicated because of his age. Prophylactic total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy has already been performed 6 times at Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, in 5 cases without adenocarcinoma at the ages of 27, 34, 44, 51 and 66, respectively; in one female carrier adenocarcinoma of the stomach was detected in a histology specimen. Two prophylactic gastrectomies with D1 lymphadenectomy were performed at University Hospital Brno at the ages of 42 and 50, respectively. In the Czech Republic point mutation c.-191T>C (rs879253783) in the 1B promoter of the APC gene is a frequent cause of gastric polyposis with a high risk of gastric adenocarcinoma, even at a young age. Positively tested individuals are recommended to high-risk oncology clinic. A necessary part of the discussion with the patient is information about a preventive gastrectomy.

A systematic review of risk-reducing cancer surgery outcomes for hereditary cancer syndromes.

Cancer predisposition genes are rare mutations that confer a high risk of cancer. For many hereditary cancer syndromes, risk reducing surgery is the single most effective strategy for preventing cancer, but it is irreversible. It has recently attracted significant media attention, following celebrity endorsement, which has led to a perceived lack of ill-effect and guaranteed successful outcome by the general public. Given these high expectations for risk-reducing surgery, a systematic review was performed to evaluate the reported complications for patients undergoing risk-reducing surgery. A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and PubMed work was conducted using PRISMA for risk-reducing surgery in adults for cancer predisposition genes in breast, ovary, stomach, thyroid and colorectal. The main outcomes were 30-day morbidity and mortality associated with these procedures. Twenty-five studies (2366 patients) reporting on outcomes following risk-reducing surgery were analysed, 5 related to breast and/or ovary, 3 for stomach, 2 for thyroid and the remaining 15 were colorectal. Risk-reducing surgery was uniformly associated with 30-day morbidity, particularly for breast (variable rates), colorectal (311/1400 patients (22%)) and stomach (35/75 patients (47%)) surgery. The 30-day morbidity for ovarian risk-reducing surgery was relatively low (11/244 patients (5%)). There was also a small mortality risk associated with colorectal (1/1400 patients) and stomach (1/75 patients). This study provides an important and necessary summary of the current data, enabling clinicians to better inform patients of the associated short and long-term outcomes in risk-reducing surgery for cancer predisposition genes.

Radiologist's Primer on Imaging of Common Hereditary Cancer Syndromes.

Recent advances in pathology and genetics have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of inherited and sporadic malignancies. Detailed studies of hereditary cancer syndromes-which contribute to 5%-10% of the overall cancer burden-have shed new light on the important role of genetic abnormalities in tumor metabolism, oncologic pathways, and clinicobiologic behavior. Many inherited cancer syndromes are characterized by development of pathognomonic histotypes of neoplasms in specific target organs. Cross-sectional imaging plays an integral role in diagnosis, screening, surveillance, and treatment of patients with a wide spectrum of cancer syndromes. This article focuses on the imaging spectrum of select hereditary cancer syndromes, featuring imaging features of associated common and uncommon tumors and conditions in each syndrome, along with screening and surveillance recommendations for each condition. MRI has proved to be a useful screening modality in such patients, as these patients are often young and require prolonged screening; MRI has the added advantage of better soft-tissue contrast without ionizing radiation. The whole-body MRI protocol is also briefly discussed. The radiologist is sometimes the first physician to encounter such patients, and knowledge of these syndromes can help identify these patients earlier and impact their care by timely diagnosis and intervention. This also benefits the family members, as they can also undergo genetic testing and obtain an early diagnosis and screening. ©RSNA, 2019.

Hereditary cancer syndromes, their testing and prevention.

About 5-10 % of cancer diseases may be caused by genetic predisposition, in ovarian cancer it could be almost 20 % of cases. The cause is mostly a pathogenic germline mutation in tumor suppressor genes, DNA repair genes, less frequently in oncogenes. So far, we know more than 200 hereditary cancer syndromes. The most frequently tested are hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome), quite frequent are also hereditary gastrointestinal polyposes. Genetic counseling and testing are routinely available for patients or their relatives. Testing methods are changing; nowadays we use next generation sequencing methods (massive parallel sequencing) with testing of panels of high-risk genes. If the mutation is discovered, we may offer the testing to relatives. Genetic testing is indicated by medical geneticist after the genetic counseling session. High-risk individuals should be followed oncology clinics or by other specialists.

Experience Gained from the Development and Execution of a Multidisciplinary Multi-syndrome Hereditary Colon Cancer Family Conference.

Genetic healthcare professionals provide genetic cancer risk assessment and follow-up care for patients facing hereditary cancers. To meet the needs of those affected by hereditary colorectal cancer, City of Hope and the Hereditary Colon Cancer Foundation collaborated to develop a "Family Day" conference. We describe the development of our conference based upon the Hereditary Colon Cancer Foundation's "Family Day" program model, with refinements completed using the Participatory Action Research theoretical framework, which incorporated input from conference participants and researchers. Thirty-one participants attended the conference, representing patients with, or families, friends, and caregivers of those with, multiple colorectal cancer predisposition syndromes, including Lynch, familial adenomatous polyposis, and juvenile polyposis. Participants who completed the feedback surveys (n = 22) were highly satisfied with the presentation content, ranking the keynote lecture on family communication the highest of the conference events. Participants also provided feedback regarding how to improve future conferences. In conclusion, we share our experience and provide guidance for developing a successful hereditary colon cancer predisposition patient and family conference.

[Cancer genetic counseling.] / Asesoría genética en cáncer.

La asesoría genética en cáncer permite reducir la morbimortalidad en pacientes con cáncer hereditario y sus familiares mediante un manejo multidisciplinario que establezca medidas preventivas, detección precoz y control de riesgos.

Therapeutic and prophylactic gastrectomy in a family with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer secondary to a CDH1 mutation: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the fifth most prevalent and the third most lethal cancer worldwide, causing approximately 720,000 deaths annually. Although most cases of gastric cancers are sporadic, one of its inherited forms, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), constitutes about 1-3% of cases. Interestingly, females in families with HDGC are also predisposed to developing lobular breast cancer (LBC). Recent analyses have identified loss-of-function germline mutations in cadherein-1 (CDH1) as a culprit in HDGC and LBC. This discovery fueled several sequencing analyses and case series reports analyzing the pattern of inheritance of CDH1 and its propensity to induce HDGC. In 2015, a multinational and multidisciplinary task force updated the guidelines and criteria for screening, diagnosing, and managing HDGC. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a case series of three siblings with family history of HDGC who tested positive for the CDH1 mutation and describe their surgical treatment course, post-operative management, and follow-up as they pertain to the updated guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Despite recent updates in guidelines in the diagnosis and management of HDGC, the disease remains challenging to address with patients given the high level of uncertainty and the comorbidities associated with prophylactic intervention. We strongly recommend that an interdisciplinary team inclusive of clinical and surgical oncologists, along with geneticists, social work, and psychological support, should follow the patients in a longitudinal and comprehensive manner in order to achieve full recovery and return to normalcy, as with our patients.