What do you do after you are diagnosed?

So after the surgery and the drama what kind of surveillance should a HNPCC carrier have?

Since they are at risk for other abdominal cancers like liver, pancreatic, uterine, ovaries, kidneys and small bowel. Some tests that can be done are transvaginal ultrasounds, ultrasound of the kidneys, upper GI, small bowel follow through, sigmoidoscopy, endoscopic exam of the upper GI just to name a few.

After surgery, it probably should be determined who will do the followup, the surgeon, gastroenterologist or your primary care physician. The decision would likely depend on who is most knowledgeable about risk factors and current best practice.

I will describe some of these tests in upcoming days, so that you can find out what those experiences are like.

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Cancer Survivors

Just read a story about one woman's cancer experience. I bet everyone has a story about what goes through your mind when you are told you have cancer. Her thought were about her stunned family members, one crying and the other in shock. I bet there are quite a few stories that could be qualitatively studied. Those experiences could help nurses better help patients during this time.

Get the Facts About Genetic Colon Cancer

Get the Facts: http://genefacts.org Lynch syndrome is a cancer predisposition syndrome caused by inherited mutations in genes responsible for correcting DNA replication errors. Individuals with Lynch syndrome have a greatly increased risk for colorectal, endometrial, and stomach cancers, and a moderately increased risk for other cancers. Key Points 1-3% of colon cancers attributable to Lynch syndrome Dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance (not all patients with mutations will manifest disease) Diagnosis based on clinical and family history, tumor pathology and/or genetic testing Screening and prophylactic surgeries effective in reducing some, but not all cancer risks Mutations in any of several genes can cause the syndrome

Prevalence and Spectrum of Germline Cancer Susceptibility Gene Mutations Among Patients With Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Key Points Question What is the frequency and spectrum of cancer susceptibility gene mutations among patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed at younger than 50 years? Findings In this cohort study of 450 patients with early-onset colorectal cancer, 72 (16%) had a pathogenic mutation. Panel testing identified mutations in patients that may have otherwise been missed; specifically, 24 of 72 patients (33.3%) who were mutation positive did not meet testing criteria for the gene(s) in which they had a mutation. Meaning Multigene panel testing should be considered for all patients with early-onset colorectal cancer. Read More: Prevalence and Spectrum of Gene Mutations and Colorectal Cancer

HNPCC Info

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