The impact of cancer pathology confirmation on clinical management of a family history of cancer.
Regional cancer genetics services in the UK base many of their risk assessments on the careful evaluation of a family history of disease. The pathological details of cancers in relatives can help refine this risk assessment and alter subsequent management. By analysing a variety of medical records, we surveyed how often a reported family history was discrepant from that recorded in the records, and how often this impacted on surveillance recommendations. Our survey analysed pathology confirmation and risk assessment in families over a 7-month period of referrals. 839 cancers were reported and 476 were independently confirmed. The accuracy of a reported family history differed depending on the reported site of a cancer and on the degree of relationship to the patient. Whilst the majority of reported cancers (84%) were confirmed, a change in risk assessment through pathology confirmation resulted in altered management in 20% of all referrals.
Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Southampton, UK. emma_edwards@wmi.usyd.edu.au
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Edwards
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Lucassen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged