How reliable is genetic blood testing for HNPCC?
My father had colon cancer in 2004, I in 2003 and my younger sister in 2002, at ages 83, 58 and 51 respectively, all stage 2 colon cancer, operated on detection. Genetic blood tests confirmed the presence of Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Please guide in what precautions and surveillance I need to take for my children. How reliable is genetic blood testing for children and which are the best centers for testing?
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You understand and agree that use of the Website does not in any way create or establish a physician-patient privilege or physician-patient relationship between you and any Medical Professional Member. You should recognize that the information provided on the Website (including past questions and answers and articles posted on the site) is provided for your general information. These materials should not be relied on as medical advice and reading and reviewing them is not a substitute for direct consultation with a medical professional about a specific medical problem.
Without limiting the foregoing, you understand and agree that submitting a Free Question or receiving an answer to a Free Question does not in any way create or establish an physician-patient relationship between you and any Medical Professional Member, or between you and us. The information and answers provided in response to Free Questions is intended to be generic medical information, not medical advice, and is based upon the very limited information provided by you in a Free Question. Specific medical advice can only be given with full knowledge of all of the facts and circumstances of your situation. If you are currently being treated by a doctor, that doctor is the best person to give you advice about a medical case or medical matter. Under no circumstances should the information obtained on this site be used to make decisions about the quality of service provided by a doctor or about the proper course of a medical matter.
The genetic test is quite reliable and you and your family should discuss this with a geneticist. Here are the guidelines, but you need to have a close communication with your gastroenterologist and oncologist. Annual colonoscopy starting between the ages of 20 and 25 years, or 10 years, prior to the earliest age of colon cancer diagnosis in the family (whichever comes first). In families with MSH6 mutations, screening can start at age 30 since the onset of colon cancer is later in these families. Annual screening for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsy and ovarian cancer with CA 125 and transvaginal ultrasound beginning at age 30 to 35 years, or 5 to 10 years earlier than the earliest age of first diagnosis of these cancers in the family (whichever is earlier). Discussion of prophylactic hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy at the end of childbearing years. Annual urinalysis beginning at age 25 to 35 years. Annual skin surveillance. Periodic upper endoscopy.