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Update on pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes
Joshua D Schiffman1, James I Geller, Erin Mundt
1Center for Children's Cancer Research and Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA. joshua.schiffman@hci.utah.edu
Insights
Pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes are increasingly recognized. This review covers new syndromes, genetic testing, and ethical considerations for families with hereditary cancer risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Genetics
- Cancer Predisposition Syndromes
Background:
- Hereditary cancer syndromes in pediatric patients are gaining recognition.
- Understanding these syndromes is crucial for pediatric hematologists/oncologists.
- Familial cancer risk impacts entire families, necessitating comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key topics from the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) 2012 workshop.
- To provide an overview of newly described pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes.
- To discuss genetic testing, screening, and ethical issues related to inherited cancer risk in children.
Main Methods:
- Review of presentations from the ASPHO 2012 Annual Meeting.
- Summary of newly identified cancer predisposition syndromes.
- Discussion of genetic testing, screening protocols, and ethical dilemmas.
Main Results:
- Highlights newly described syndromes: Rhabdoid Tumor Predisposition Syndrome, Hereditary Paragangliomas and Pheochromocytoma Syndrome, and DICER1 Syndrome.
- Covers genetic testing and screening strategies for pediatric cancer predisposition.
- Addresses ethical issues like PGD/PGT and incidental findings from whole genome sequencing.
Conclusions:
- Increased awareness and understanding of hereditary cancer syndromes are vital in pediatric oncology.
- Genetic testing and ethical considerations are integral to managing families with inherited cancer risk.
- The review emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to pediatric cancer predisposition.
Abstract:
Hereditary cancer syndromes in children and adolescents are becoming more recognized in the field of pediatric hematology/oncology. A recent workshop held at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) 2012 Annual Meeting included several interactive sessions related to specific familial cancer syndromes, genetic testing and screening, and ethical issues in caring for families with inherited cancer risk. This review highlights the workshop presentations, including a brief background about pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes and the importance of learning about them for the practicing pediatric hematologists/oncologists. This is followed by a brief summary of the newly described cancer predisposition syndromes including Rhabdoid Tumor Predisposition Syndrome, Hereditary Paragangliomas and Pheochromocytoma Syndrome, and Familial Pleuropulmonaryblastoma Tumor Predisposition (DICER1) Syndrome. The next section covers genetic testing and screening for pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes. Ethical issues are also discussed including preimplantation genetic diagnosis or testing (PGD/PGT), suspicious lesions found on tumor screening, and incidental mutations discovered by whole genome sequencing. Finally, the perspective of a family with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome is shared.
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