scholarly journals The importance to update the guidelines for the use of genetic testing in noncancer patients in Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tirzah Braz Petta Lajus

The Brazilian National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans has recently published a technical note defining the criteria for the coverage of genetic testing to diagnose hereditary cancer. In this study we show the case of a patient with a breast lesion and an extensive history of cancer referred to a private service of genetic counseling. The patient met both criteria for hereditary breast and colorectal cancer syndrome screening. Her private insurance denied coverage for genetic testing because she lacks current or previous cancer diagnosis. After she appealed by lawsuit, the court was favorable and the test was performed using next-generation sequencing. A deletion of MLH1 exon 8 was found. We highlight the importance to offer genetic testing using multigene analysis for noncancer patients.

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Van Thuan Tran ◽  
Sao Trung Nguyen ◽  
Xuan Dung Pham ◽  
Thanh Hai Phan ◽  
Van Chu Nguyen ◽  
...  

BackgroundHereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) are responsible for 5-10% of cancer cases. Genetic testing to identify pathogenic variants associated with cancer predisposition has not been routinely available in Vietnam. Consequently, the prevalence and genetic landscape of HCS remain unknown.Methods1165 Vietnamese individuals enrolled in genetic testing at our laboratory in 2020. We performed analysis of germline mutations in 17 high- and moderate- penetrance genes associated with HCS by next generation sequencing.ResultsA total of 41 pathogenic variants in 11 genes were detected in 3.2% individuals. The carrier frequency was 4.2% in people with family or personal history of cancer and 2.6% in those without history. The percentage of mutation carriers for hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes was 1.3% and for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome was 1.6%. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were the most prevalent with the positive rate of 1.3% in the general cohort and 5.1% in breast or ovarian cancer patients. Most of BRCA1 mutations located at the BRCA C-terminus domains and the top recurrent mutation was NM_007294.3:c.5251C>T (p.Arg1751Ter). One novel variant NM_000038.6(APC):c.6665C>A (p.Pro2222His) was found in a breast cancer patient with a strong family history of cancer. A case study of hereditary cancer syndrome was illustrated to highlight the importance of genetic testing.ConclusionThis is the first largest analysis of carrier frequency and mutation spectrum of HCS in Vietnam. The findings demonstrate the clinical significance of multigene panel testing to identify carriers and their at-risk relatives for better cancer surveillance and management strategies.


2003 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. e60-e63
Author(s):  
Arndt Hartmann ◽  
John C. Cheville ◽  
Wolfgang Dietmaier ◽  
Ferdinand Hofstädter ◽  
Lawrence J. Burgart ◽  
...  

Abstract Urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is relatively uncommon but may develop as a manifestation of the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC), which is characterized by mutations in a number of DNA mismatch repair genes and detectable as microsatellite instability or loss of the respective protein by immunostaining. No well-established screening test is available for urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract, and little is known of the clinical impact of screening for HNPCC in patients with upper urinary tract cancer. We describe herein a patient with a urothelial carcinoma of the ureter and a strongly positive history of cancer, who was subsequently found to have HNPCC. Our findings reinforce the importance of obtaining a comprehensive history of cancer in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter. Subsequent identification of individuals with HNPCC enables the patient and at-risk relatives to benefit from targeted surveillance and management programs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padraic Fleming ◽  
Sinead O'Neill ◽  
Miriam Owens ◽  
Therese Mooney ◽  
Patricia Fitzpatrick

<em>Background</em>. To determine why women skip rounds and factors influencing return of previous non attenders (PNAs) to breast screening. <em></em><br /><em>Design and methods</em>. Retrospective, quantitative, structured questionnaire posted to 2500 women. First PNAs did not attend their first screening appointment in 2007/2008 but then attended in 2010; First Controls first attended in 2010 without missed previous appointments. Women who attended screening in 2006 or earlier then skipped a round but returned in 2010 were Subsequent PNAs; Subsequent Controls attended all appointments.<br /><em>Results</em>. More First Controls than First PNAs had family history of cancer (72.7% <em>vs</em> 63.2%; P=0.003); breast cancer (31.3% <em>vs</em> 24.8%; P=0.04). More PNAs lived rurally; more First PNAs had 3rd level education (33.2% <em>vs</em> 23.6%; P=0.002) and fewer had private insurance than First Controls (57.7% <em>vs</em> 64.8%; P=0.04). Excellent/good health was reported in First PNAs and First Controls (82.9% <em>vs</em> 83.2%), but fewer Subsequent PNAs than Subsequent Controls (72.7% <em>vs</em> 84.9%; P=0.000). Common considerations at time of missed appointment were<em> had mammogram elsewhere</em> (33% First PNA) and <em>postponed to next round</em> (16% First PNA, 18.8% Subsequent PNA). Considerations when returning to screening were similar for First PNAs and Subsequent PNAs: <em>I am older </em>(35.4%, 29.6%), <em>I made sure I remembered</em> (29%, 23.6%), <em>could reschedule</em> (17.6%, 20.6%), <em>illness of more concern</em> (16.5%, 19%). More First PNAs stated <em>my family/friends advised</em> (22.3% <em>vs</em> 15.2%) or<em> my GP</em> (12.6% <em>vs</em> 4.6%) <em>advised me to attend</em>, h<em>eard good things about BreastCheck</em> (28.8% <em>vs</em> 13.6%).<br /><em>Conclusions</em>. Intermittent attenders do not fit socio-demographic patterns of non-attenders; GP recommendation and word of mouth were important in women’s return to screening. Fear and anxiety seem to act as a screening facilitator rather than an inhibitor.<br />


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16749-e16749
Author(s):  
Livia Munhoz Rodrigues ◽  
Simone Maistro ◽  
Maria Lucia Hirata Katayama ◽  
Luiz A.Senna Leite ◽  
Joao Glasberg ◽  
...  

e16749 Background: Pancreatic cancer has the prospect of becoming the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030. The NCCN Guidelines recommend genetic testing for all patients with pancreatic cancer, however, the spectrum of germline mutations has not been extensively evaluated because recent studies with genetic testing have explored only a limited number of genes and have focused predominantly on Caucasian populations. Therefore, our objective is to evaluate the frequency and spectrum of germline mutations in unselected patients with pancreatic cancer in a multiethnic population. Methods: Patients from Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (Brazil) with histopathological diagnosis of non-endocrine pancreatic carcinoma were included, regardless of the family history of cancer. These patients answered a life habits and family history of cancer questionnaire and supplied blood for the Next Generation Sequencing (MiSeq platform) with the TruSight Hereditary Cancer panel (Illumina), which includes 115 cancer predisposing genes. Variant analysis was performed with the VarStation, a Brazilian tool that offers post-sequencing computational support and aid for clinical interpretation. Results: To the present moment, 77 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 62 years (27-83), among whom, 13% with young age (≤50 years) and 47 women (61%). Thirty-eight patients (49%) reported cases of cancer in first-degree relatives. Regarding risk factors, 41 patients (53%) reported smoking, 19 (25%) alcohol ingestion and 20 (26%) had obesity. Seven out of 77 patients presented pathogenic variants in ATM (n = 2) , CHEK2, FANCM (n = 2) or PALB2 (n = 2) genes. Two of these patients ( CHEK2 and FANCM) had early onset pancreatic cancer (≤45 years), both denied smoking habit and family history of cancer in 1st degree relatives. Two patients, who were ATM mutation carriers, reported 1st or 2nd degree relatives with cancer and are alive after 4 and 8 years of diagnosis. Conclusions: In this unselected group of pancreatic cancer patients, 15% were young, almost half reported first-degree relatives with cancer and 9% were carriers of pathogenic variants in genes related with the homologous recombination DNA repair.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4500-4500
Author(s):  
Laetitia Huiart ◽  
Marina Lafage ◽  
Laetitia Rabayrol ◽  
Aude Charbonnier ◽  
Philippe Bourdeleau ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Our objective was to describe the biological characteristics of acute leukemia (AL) patients with or without a familial form of malignant hematological disorders. Population The study population included all newly diagnosed cases of AL treated in the departments of hematology of Institut Paoli-Calmettes between January 2002 and December 2004. We identified 291 eligible patients, of which 216 (74.2%) provided consent to participate in the study and filled a short questionnaire collecting demographic, personal and familial medical data. A face to face interview was arranged for 185 patients (85.7%) and a pedigree compiled for each family and reviewed by 2 familial cancer consultants. Results Among the 185 patients with full data on personal and familial history of cancer, 34 (18.4%) had a strong familial history of cancer of which 16 (8.6%) presented a familial form of malignant hematological disorders (at least another case of hematological malignancy in the 1, 2 or 3 degree relatives). Seven families had at least 2 first degree family members with leukemia and 2 families had 5 relatives (1st, 2nd or 3rd degree) diagnosed with leukaemia. Most index cases were diagnosed with AML in both groups (88.1%). Among familial forms, 7 AML (50%) were classified as FAB M1 or M2. No M3, M6 or M7 were identified. White blood cell count was higher than 30 G/l in 37.5% of familial form as compared to 23.5% in sporadic cases (NS). The mean circulating blast percentage was higher in familial forms (66.6% (SD= 35.5)) than in sporadic cases (36.7% (SD=32.1)) (p=0.001). None of the familial forms were consecutive to pre-existing myelodysplasic or myeloproliferative syndrome. Among familial cases with AML, 43% had normal cytogenetics (vs 36% in sporadic cases); none had a complex karyotype; one presented with a t(3;15)(p26;q11) as a mosaic, a translocation not previously reported. Complete remission (CR) rates after 1st induction and Overall Survival (OS) were similar in both groups (CR in both groups: 61.5% (n=112); OS: median: 16 months (95%CI = 10.2 – 21.8) in familial forms vs 23.9 months (18.8 – 28.9)). Conclusion According to our data, among the 15 900 new cases of AL diagnosed every year in the US, 1 370 may correspond to familial forms. This warrants awareness of clinicians who should systematically assess family cancer history. Familial AL tends to present as a proliferative form, with no prior hematologic malignancies and normal cytogenetics. This is consistent with pathogenesis pathways described in other familial cancer syndrome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Reen Ting ◽  
Pei Yi Ong ◽  
Samuel Ow Guan Wei ◽  
Rajeev Parameswaran ◽  
Chin Meng Khoo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hereditary paraganglioma (PGL) and pheochromocytoma (PCC) syndromes are rare conditions, with limited data on spectrum of causative gene variants of these syndromes in Asian patients. Methods We describe the clinical characteristics and genetic testing outcomes of patients with suspected hereditary PGL/PCC who were referred to a tertiary cancer genetics clinic in Singapore. Results Among 2196 patients with suspected hereditary cancer syndrome evaluated at the cancer genetics clinic from 2000 to 2019, 13/2196 (0.6%) patients fulfilled clinical suspicion for hereditary PGL/PCC syndrome. After genetic counselling, 10 patients underwent multi-gene next generation sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis, including SDHAF2, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, VHL, NF1, RET, MAX, and TMEM127. Seven of 10 patients (70%) were identified to carry pathogenic variants, including 3 unrelated Chinese patients with head and neck PGL who carried the same SDHD: c.3G > C (p.Met1Ile) variant that was previously reported to be a possible founder variant in Chinese, and 3 patients with urogenital PGL and 1 patient with retroperitoneal PGL who carried different SDHB variants. Variant carriers were younger, more likely to present with multiple tumours, or have family history of paraganglioma or pheochromocytoma, than non- variant carriers. Conclusion Hereditary PGL/PCC accounts for only 0.6% of patients seen in an adult cancer genetics clinic in Asia. SDHD and SDHB genes remain the most important causative genes of hereditary PGL/PCC in Asia even when patients are tested with multi-gene NGS panel.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (31) ◽  
pp. 3544-3549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen E. Mork ◽  
Y. Nancy You ◽  
Jun Ying ◽  
Sarah A. Bannon ◽  
Patrick M. Lynch ◽  
...  

Purpose Established guidelines recommend evaluation for hereditary cancer syndromes in patients younger than 50 years diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). This group has been well described in the literature; however, patients diagnosed as adolescents and young adults are not well represented in CRC studies. Here, we define the clinical profile, including the extent of hereditary cancer syndromes and family history of cancer, in patients diagnosed with CRC at age 35 or younger. Patients and Methods We reviewed patients who underwent genetic counseling at our institution during 5 years (2009 to 2013). Data were collected regarding demographics, clinicopathologic information, tumor and genetic testing, and family history. Patients with an identified hereditary cancer syndrome were compared with those without a syndrome. Results Of the 193 patients with evaluable data, 35% had an identifiable hereditary cancer syndrome, including 23 with Lynch syndrome, 22 with mutation-negative Lynch syndrome, 16 with familial adenomatous polyposis, two with constitutional mismatch repair deficiency, two with biallelic MUTYH mutations, and one with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Patients without a hereditary syndrome more frequently presented with metastatic disease, whereas patients with a syndrome were more likely to present at earlier stages and to have a family history of cancer. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of the hereditary syndromes (19%) were diagnosed in individuals with no family history of the disease. Conclusion We conclude that patients diagnosed with CRC at age 35 years or younger should receive genetic counseling regardless of their family history and phenotype.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Aslam ◽  
Shabana ◽  
Mehboob Ahmed

Abstract Background Hereditary cancer susceptibility syndrome (HCSS) contributes to the cancer predisposition at an early age, therefore, identification of HCSS has found to be crucial for surveillance, managing therapeutic interventions and refer the patients and their families for genetic counselling. The study aimed to identify ALL patients who meet the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) criteria and refer them for the genetic testing for HCSS as hereditary leukemia and hematologic malignancy syndrome, and to elucidate the significance of high consanguinity with the prevalence of inherited leukemia in Pakistani population. Methods A total of 300 acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients were recruited from the Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from December 2018 to September 2019. A structured self-reporting questionnaire based on family and medical history of the disease was utilized for the data collection. Results In our cohort, 60.40% of ALL patients were identified to meet ACMG criteria. Among them, a large number of patients (40.65%) solely fulfil the criteria due to the presence of parental consanguinity. However, parental consanguinity showed protective impact on the onset at early age of disease [OD = 0.44 (0.25–0.77), p-value = 0.00] while, a family history of cancer increased the risk of cardiotoxicity [OD = 2.46 (1.15–5.24), p-value = 0.02]. Parental consanguinity shows no significant impact on the family history of cancer and the number of relatives with cancer. Conclusions More than 50% of the ALL patients were considered the strong candidates’ for genetic testing of HCSS in the Pakistani population, and parental consanguinity was the leading criteria fulfilled by the individuals when assessed through ACMG guidelines. Our study suggests revisiting ACMG guidelines, especially for the criterion of parental consanguinity, and formulating the score based criteria based on; genetic research, the toxicology profile, physical features, personal and family history of cancer for the identification of patients for the genetic testing.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5587-5587
Author(s):  
Saeed Rafii ◽  
Philip Dawson ◽  
Sarah Williams ◽  
Jennifer S. Pascoe ◽  
James E. Nevin ◽  
...  

5587 Background: Whilst the association between breast cancer and uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is attributed to tamoxifen treatment, few studies have reported that this increased risk is independent of tamoxifen. Methods: To further investigate the relationship between breast cancer and USC, we retrospectively studied 216 patients from 5 hospital trusts in Birmingham, UK who were diagnosed with USC between 1993 and 2012. We collected personal history of cancer in these cases before or after USC diagnosis. In addition FIGO staging, clinical and survival data were collected from our local cancer registry and patients’ clinical records. Results: In this case series, 56 patients (25.9%) had personal history of at least one cancer before and 18 patients (8.3%) had history of at least one cancer after the diagnosis of USC. Within the group of patients with the history of cancer before the USC, 38 patients (68%, 17.5% of all cases) had personal history of breast cancer prior to the development of USC, higher than the UK expected age standardised relative incidence of breast cancer (350 in 100,000, CRUK 2006-2008). Although 27/38 cases (71%) had endocrine treatment for their primary breast cancer, 11/38 patients (29%) did not have any tamoxifen treatment due to hormone receptor negative breast cancer. Additionally the median age of breast cancer diagnosis for the hormone receptor negative group was significantly lower than those patients who had hormonal treatment for their breast cancer (56 vs. 64 years, p :0.036) compatible with the younger age at diagnosis expected of the familial (BRCA mutated) or triple negative breast cancer. Of 18 patients with a second cancer after diagnosis of USC, 6 patients (33%) were diagnosed with breast/ovarian cancer. This group also had no treatment with tamoxifen. Conclusions: Lack of exposure to tamoxifen and younger age at diagnosis in this subgroup suggest that other factors such as a common underlying genetic predisposition may be responsible for the development of both malignancies. We propose that at least a subgroup of USC may be a part of hereditary breast cancer syndrome. This may have implications in prevention (prophylactic hysterectomy) or trials of targeted treatments (PARP inhibitors) for a subgroup of USC patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 183-183
Author(s):  
Farzana L. Walcott ◽  
Rebecca Davidson Kaltman ◽  
Elizabeth Hatcher ◽  
Cam Ha ◽  
Tara Biagi ◽  
...  

183 Background: Genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes is underutilized among cancer patients. Cancer survivorship clinics may identify individuals at risk for hereditary cancer. We present the number of referrals from George Washington (GW) Adult Cancer Survivorship Clinic (ACS) to the GW Ruth Paul Hereditary Cancer Program (RPHCP) to demonstrate the feasibility of identifying high risk individuals in cancer survivorship. Methods: We reviewed the number of patients seen at the GW ACS and subsequent referrals to the GW RPHCP for genetic counseling/testing. An IRB approved research registry was used for retrieval of the data. The ACS clinic is staffed by a physician internist trained in clinical cancer genetics and a nurse practitioner trained in cancer survivorship. Results: 261 patients were seen in ACS from January 1, 2016, to September 30, 2017. Twenty patients (7.6%) were referred to RPHCP based on personal/family cancer history. Three patients were not consented for the research registry, leaving a total of 17 patients for this analysis. Fifteen (88.2%) patients were referred by the physician and 2/17 (11.7%) were referred by the nurse practitioner. Sixteen patients had genetic testing (94.1%) and results were: 5/16 (31.2%) positive, 6/16 (37.5%) negative, and 3/16 (18.7%) had a variant of unknown significance (VUS). Results on 2 patients are pending. One patient deferred testing. Of the 17 patients referred, 14/17 (82.3%) had personal/family history of cancer and had seen an oncologist. Cancer sites and germline mutations identified were: bilateral breast cancer and bladder cancer (BRCA2), prostate cancer (MUTYH), breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA1), endometrial cancer (APC). One patient without cancer was referred by an oncologist for a previously identified familial MLH1 mutation, and was positive. Conclusions: Cancer survivorship clinics may identify individuals appropriate for genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes. This is likely an underestimate as not all cancer patients are seen in survivorship clinic. Systematic capture of personal and family history of cancer in cancer survivors may enhance utilization of genetic testing services among cancer survivors and identification of high risk individuals.


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