title: Testing for Hereditary Predisposition in Patients with Gynecologic Cancers, Quo Vadis?
abstract: Genetic testing for a hereditary predisposition to gynecologic cancers has been available clinically since the 1990s. Since then, knowledge of the hereditary contribution to gynecologic cancers has dramatically increased, especially with respect to ovarian cancer. Although knowledge of the number of gynecologic cancer-predisposing genes has increased, the integration of genetic predisposition testing into routine clinical practice has been much slower. This article summarizes the technical and practical aspects of genetic testing in gynecologic cancers, the potential barriers to more widespread access and practice of genetic testing for hereditary predisposition to gynecologic cancers, and the potential solutions to these barriers.
authors.affiliation: Hereditary Cancer Program, BC Cancer Agency, 600 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4E6, Canada; Department of Medical Oncology, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: Gillian.mitchell@bccancer.bc.ca.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Hereditary Cancer Program, Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, 600 Wet 10th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4E6, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Kasmintan A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Schrader
mesh_terms: D056733:Carney Complex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004687:Enchondromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D006223:Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018231:Leiomyomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D018192:Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D054973:Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics
keywords: Gene panels; Genetic predisposition; Gynecologic cancer; Multiplex genetic testing