A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event for every patient and their extended family. However, how we respond to this diagnosis are as individual as our very existence as evidenced by our looks and personalities. Following my diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer in 2014 at age 54 which had spread to my bones, I …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/spotlightnlw2018/
Findings through a recent study reported that inherited cancer gene mutations were present in 8.2% of those with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, which provides additional support to include this group of men in broader testing, particularly as targeted treatments based on inherited gene mutations becomes increasingly available.1 Another recent study suggested that those with …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/10nlw2018/
As testing has broadened to include newer inherited cancer genes, studies have suggested that mutations which shorten the protein (“truncating mutations”) in the RAD51D gene are associated with ovarian cancer. However, a recent study examined ovarian cancer risks for a “non-truncating” change (a single base pair within the gene is changed which is called a …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/3nlw2018/
(Version 1.2018, posted Oct. 3, 2017) Metastatic prostate cancer was added as an indication for evaluation and testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes Among BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 and PTEN carriers, women between ages 25-29 may consider having an annual mammogram with consideration of tomosynthesis if a breast MRI is not available. Among female BRCA2 …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/1nlw2018/
A recent study reported on a single blood test, named “CancerSEEK”, which can screen for 8 common types of cancer (ovarian, liver, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, colorectal, lung, and breast) and may help to identify the location at which the cancer started. This test evaluated the blood from over 1000 patients with Stage 1 to 3 …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/2nlw2018/
A recently published phase II clinical trial investigated the use of a new class of drugs (called PD-1 Inhibitors) in DNA mismatch repair-deficient/ microsatellite instability-high colorectal tumors (which are features seen in the majority of colorectal tumors from individuals with Lynch Syndrome) among patients with metastatic disease.1 Investigators found patients who received two PD-1 Inhibitors …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/7nlw2018/
In an effort to further study breast cancer risks among BRCA carriers, a recently published study compared breast cancer risks among those with and without a close family member (first-degree relative) with breast cancer.1 Findings showed that risk for breast cancer by age 80 was 60.8% in BRCA1 carriers and 63.1% among BRCA2 carriers, with …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/4nlw2018/
On January 12, 2018, the FDA approved the first PARP Inhibitor (Lynparza) for treatment in patients with advanced breast cancer due to inherited BRCA mutations.1 This drug is already approved for certain BRCA carriers for advanced ovarian cancer. PARP inhibitors were originally developed to target the specific pathway through which cancer develops among those with …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/6nlw2018/
The following question was addressed by Dr. Ingrid Meszoely is a breast surgeon and Clinical Director of the Vanderbilt Breast Center at One Hundred Oaks. She leads a high-risk clinic, through which she and her team of nurse practitioners manage patients with inherited breast cancer predisposition. Her research interests include both clinical and translational breast …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/8nlw2018/
In a recent study which included over 800 patients with pancreatic ductal cancer, inherited cancer gene mutations were found in a much higher proportion than expected. Almost 5% of these patients had mutations identified in inherited cancer genes, the majority of which were in genes thought to be associated with pancreatic cancer (including BRCA2, ATM, …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/9nlw2018/
Several research groups from around the world that have conducted cancer screening among patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome and a germline TP53 mutation have recently reported on their observations. Specifically, the National Cancer Institute group demonstrated that screening inclusive of rapid total body MRI detected cancers at an early stage,1 similar to findings published through other …
Permanent link to this article: https://inheritedcancer.net/5nlw2018/
