Management of Gynecologic Cancers In Relation to Genetic Predisposition

To review hereditary gynecologic cancer syndromes and outline current clinical management considerations.

Retrieved articles and guidelines dated 2013-2018 from PubMed, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health databases.

Advances in genetic testing technology have allowed for the identification of a growing number of patients with genetic mutations associated with hereditary cancer. Individuals with a hereditary predisposition to cancer may qualify for targeted drug therapies, risk-reducing surgeries, and/or high-risk cancer surveillance depending on the specific gene mutation(s) they harbor. Furthermore, there are clinical implications for relatives.

This article is an educational guide for oncology nurses who often play a key role in identifying patients at risk for hereditary cancer, prompting referrals for genetic evaluation, and providing follow-up care for these patients.