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Identification of Individuals at Risk for Lynch Syndrome Using Targeted Evaluations and Genetic Testing: National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer Joint Practice Guideline

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Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

Identifying individuals who have Lynch syndrome (LS) involves a complex diagnostic work up that includes taking a detailed family history and a combination of various genetic and immunohistochemical tests. The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer (CGA-ICC) have come together to publish this clinical practice testing guideline for the evaluation of LS. The purpose of this practice guideline is to provide guidance and a testing algorithm for LS as well as recommendations on when to offer testing. This guideline does not replace a consultation with a genetics professional. This guideline includes explanations in support of this and a summary of background data. While this guideline is not intended to serve as a review of LS, it includes a discussion of background information on LS, and cites a number of key publications which should be reviewed for a more in-depth understanding of LS. These guidelines are intended for genetic counselors, geneticists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, obstetricians and gynecologists, nurses and other healthcare providers who evaluate patients for LS.

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Disclaimer

This practice guideline was developed by members of the NSGC and CGA-ICC to assist genetic counselors and other health care providers in making decisions about appropriate management of genetic concerns; including access to and/or delivery of services. This practice guideline focuses on a clinical or practice-based issue, and is the result of a review and analysis of current professional literature believed to be reliable. As such, information and recommendations within this joint NSGC and CGA-ICC practice guideline reflect scientific and clinical knowledge current as of the time of publication, is only current as of its publication date, and is subject to change without notice as advances emerge.

In addition, variations in practice, which take into account the needs of the individual patient and the resources and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice, may warrant approaches, treatments and/or procedures that differ from the recommendations outlined in this guideline. Therefore, these recommendations should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of management, nor does the use of such recommendations guarantee a particular outcome. Genetic counseling practice guidelines are never intended to displace a health care provider’s best medical judgment based on the clinical circumstances of a particular patient or patient population. This practice guideline is published by NSGC and CGA-ICC for educational and informational purposes only, and neither NSGC nor CGA-ICC “approves” or “endorses” any specific methods, practices, or sources of information contained herein.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Medical Genetics, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA

    Scott M. Weissman

  2. Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Randall Burt & Kory Jasperson

  3. Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA

    James Church & Matt F. Kalady

  4. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Steve Erdman

  5. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Steve Erdman

  6. Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Heather Hampel & Leigha Senter

  7. Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases Clinical Research Centere, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Spring Holter

  8. Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer Center, North Memorial Healthcare, Robbinsdale, MN, USA

    Joy Larsen Haidle

  9. Department of Preventative Medicine, Creighton Hereditary Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Henry T. Lynch

  10. Hereditary Cancer Program, Northside Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Selvi Palaniappan

  11. Vanderbilt Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Paul E. Wise

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  1. Scott M. Weissman
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  2. Randall Burt
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  3. James Church
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  4. Steve Erdman
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  5. Heather Hampel
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  6. Spring Holter
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  7. Kory Jasperson
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  9. Joy Larsen Haidle
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  10. Henry T. Lynch
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  11. Selvi Palaniappan
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  12. Paul E. Wise
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  13. Leigha Senter
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Correspondence to Scott M. Weissman.

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Weissman, S.M., Burt, R., Church, J. et al. Identification of Individuals at Risk for Lynch Syndrome Using Targeted Evaluations and Genetic Testing: National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer Joint Practice Guideline. J Genet Counsel 21, 484–493 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-011-9465-7

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