Surveillance for endometrial cancer in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome

The estimated lifetime risk for endometrial carcinoma (EC) in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC) is 32-60%, thus supporting surveillance. The survival rate of EC patients is, however, favourable questioning the need for surveillance. Yet, the effectiveness of gynecological surveillance remains to be shown. The 2 previously published studies were based on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) alone. Intrauterine biopsy has not been tested in surveillance for EC in HNPCC families. The effect of gynecological surveillance was evaluated among 175 Finnish mutation carriers. During 759 person years at risk, there were 503 surveillance visits including TVUS and intrauterine biopsy of endometrium at 94% and 74% of the visits, respectively. EC occurred in 14 cases, 11 of which were diagnosed by surveillance, 8 by intrauterine biopsies. TVUS indicated only 4 EC patients but missed 6 other cases. Intrauterine sampling detected 14 additional cases of potentially premalignant hyperplasia. The stage distribution and survival tended to be more favorable in the 14 EC cases of the surveilled group (no deaths) than in the group of 83 symptomatic mutation carriers of whom 6 died of EC, but with no statistical significance. Four cases of ovarian cancer occurred but none was detected by surveillance in TVUS examinations. In conclusion, EC surveillance in HNPCC seems more effective with endometrial biopsies than with TVUS alone. A definite improvement in survival remains to be shown. The detection of early cancer stages and premalignant lesions offers the opportunity to avoid extensive adjuvant treatment.     

遗传性非腺瘤病性结直肠癌的诊治进展

遗传性非腺瘤病性结直肠癌（HNPCC）是一种常染色体显性遗传的综合症,占总的结直肠癌的56%--10%。该病由错配修复基因缺陷造成,肿瘤表现出高度的微卫星不稳。临床上辨别HNPCC患者对诊断和治疗以及监测HNPCC家庭成员发病有指导意义。     

Clinical manifestations in patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

The clinical manifestations of 1,042 Japanese patients with nonpolyposis colorectal cancer who underwent a resection between 1972 and 1992 at the National Kyushu Cancer Center were examined. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) was found in 39 (3.7%) patients. Some characteristic findings in HNPCC cases included early age of onset, a preponderance of right colon cancers, an increased frequency of colorectal cancers, and a favorable survival. Metachronous (postoperative) colorectal cancers developed significantly more often in cases with HNPCC than in those without (12.8% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.0001). Metachronous (postoperative) extracolonic cancers tended to develop more often in cases with HNPCC than in those without (10.2% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.053). In cases with HNPCC, the mean interval between the initial surgery and the diagnosis of the second cancer was 61 months (range; 12–153 months). These findings thus indicate the importance of routine and long-term follow-up to identify any second lesions, especially in patients with HNPCC. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

遗传性大肠癌患者身心社会功能分析和生活质量评价

目的　探讨遗传性非息肉病性大肠癌（ＨＮＰＣＣ）患者的身心社会功能和生活质量情况及影响因素。方法 选择２００６年６月至２００９年１月上海新华医院确诊的ＨＮＰＣＣ患者为调查对象。采用单一样本问卷调查,内容包括：（１）一般人口学特征;（２）疾病及治疗情况;（３）生活质量情况：参照癌症患者生活质量测定量表（ＥＯＲＴＣＱＬＱ Ｃ３０）设计,采用多元线性回归模型分析。结果　发放问卷４７份,收回４７份。分析结果：（１）基本属性与生活质量：年龄与整体健康生活质量成负相关（ｒ＝－０.２４,Ｐ＝０.００６）,与生活品质的身体功能成负相关（ｒ＝－０.２７,Ｐ＝０.００７）;教育程度与生活质量成正相关（ｒ＝０.２１,Ｐ＝０.００３）;收入与生活质量的情绪功能和认知功能成正相关（ｒ＝０.２１,Ｐ＝０.００２;ｒ＝０.２３,Ｐ＝０.００８）;身体功能状态与整体健康生活质量成正相关（ｒ＝０.３３,Ｐ＜０.００１）。（２）生活质量多元回归分析：忧郁和年龄可解释总变异数的２９.８％;忧郁程度对生活质量有较高的解释力,解释总变异数为２４.４％,年龄的解释总变异数为５.４％。结论　ＨＮＰＣＣ患者在整个治疗康复过程中,身心社会功能和整体生活质量均有不同程度的降低,其中心理健康状态、年龄、经济状况等因素对整体生活质量的影响较大。     

遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌相关肿瘤累计危险度分析

目的 了解各遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌（HNPCC）相关肿瘤在中国HNPCC家族中发病的危险度,探讨中国HNPCC患者的诊断和治疗策略.方法 收集符合Amsterdam标准的HNPCC家族41个,以寿命表法对213例发生各种肿瘤的HNPCC家族成员做相关肿瘤的累计危险度分析.结果 肠外肿瘤中胃癌发生率最高（25例）,其次为子宫内膜癌（11例）.各HNPCC常见肿瘤的累计危险度分别为大肠癌89.5%,胃癌24.5%,子宫内膜癌29.6%（女性）,肝癌8.2%.结论 肠外肿瘤中胃癌、子宫内膜癌及肝癌的累计危险度均较高,忽视胃癌在中国HNPCC诊断中的价值,可能会漏诊部分患者.     

遗传性非息肉病性大肠癌11个家系32例的临床特点与诊治

目的：分析遗传性非息肉病性大肠癌的临床特点及诊治经验。方法：分析11个家系32例遗传性非息肉病性大肠癌的诊断、治疗、随访结果，分别记录肿瘤发病部位、病理结果等一般情况。结果：11个家系中共有恶性肿瘤43例61个肿瘤，其中大肠癌32例39个肿瘤。32例中至今共发生异时多原发恶性肿瘤12例，占37．5％，其中异时多原发大肠癌5例，占15．6％。通过先证者对其本人及一级亲属进行随诊检查共发现各类恶性肿瘤28个，其中20个(67．7％)为无明显临床症状者。结论：本病是一种常染色体显性遗传病，本病具有发病年龄早，好发于近侧结肠，易患异时或同时多原发癌及大肠外恶性肿瘤。在诊治中要作详细病史调查，除对先证者进行治疗和随访外．对其亲属的宣教和随访等工作亦十分重要。     

Association of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in the same kindred

Endoglin (CD105) is a proliferation-associated protein that is strongly expressed in endothelial tissue and has a role in tumor angiogenesis. Mutations in endoglin are also linked to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia type 1 (HHT1), an autosomal dominant disease associated with aberrant angiogenesis. We report an unusual association of HHT1 and Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) in the same kindred. Genetic analysis indicates that these 2 syndromes are genetically unrelated and separately segregated within the family. The mutation in the endoglin gene leads to a truncated protein. The mutation in the mismatch repair gene MLH1 causes a splicing defect, giving synthesis to an unstable mRNA from this mutated allele. The potential protective role of an endoglin mutation in patients with HNPCC is discussed.     

遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌7个家系的临床分析

目的:总结遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌(HNPCC)家系的临床特点,提高临床诊断和治疗水平。方法:收集7个HNPCC家系的病例资料,分析其发病特点并记录随访结果。结果:7个HNPCC家系共有癌症患者23例,肿瘤灶27处:大肠外瘤灶3处;大肠瘤灶24处,其中有13处位于脾曲近侧结肠,占54.1%。平均发病年龄为41.2岁,17例(73.5%)发病在50岁以前。1家系累及连续三代人、4家系累及连续两代人。多原发癌患者4例,其中3例为肠外癌。结论:HNPCC具有发病年龄轻、垂直传递、肠外癌发病率高、常见多原发癌、好发于右半结肠、病理分化较差的特点,但预后相对较好。     

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in endometrial cancer patients

Endometrial cancer is the second most common cancer in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). It has often been overlooked to explore the possibility of HNPCC in endometrial cancer patients. Our study was to investigate how many HNPCC patients existed among endometrial cancer patients. Among patients who underwent hysterectomy for endometrial cancer at Seoul National University Hospital from 1996 to 2004, 113 patients were included, whose family history and clinical data could be obtained and tumor specimens were available for microsatellite instability (MSI) testing and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 proteins. There were 4 (3.5%) clinical HNPCC patients fulfilling the Amsterdam criteria II, and 2 (2/4, 50%) of them carried MSH2 germline mutations. There were also 8 (7.1%) suspected HNPCC (s-HNPCC) patients fulfilling the revised criteria for s-HNPCC, and one (1/8, 12.5%) of them revealed MLH1 germline mutation. In 101 patients, who were not clinical HNPCC or s-HNPCC, 11 patients showed both MSI-high and loss of expression of MLH1, MSH2 or MSH6 proteins, and 2 (2/11, 18.2%) of them showed MSH6 germline mutations. In 113 patients with endometrial cancer, we could find 5 (4.4%) HNPCC patients with MMR germline mutation and 2 (1.8%) clinical HNPCC patients without identified MMR gene mutation. Family history was critical in detecting 3 HNPCC patients with MMR germline mutation, and MSI testing with IHC staining for MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 proteins was needed in the diagnosis of 2 HNPCC patients who were not clinical HNPCC or s-HNPCC, especially for MSH6 germline mutation.     

检测微卫星不稳在中国遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌患者诊断中的应用

背景与目的：遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌（hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer，HNPCC）是常染色体显性遗传综合征，国外报道90％的HNPCC肿瘤表现为微卫星不稳（microsatellite instability，MSI），可作为筛查HNPCC的金标准。本研究旨在了解中国HNPCC肿瘤MSI发生率以及可疑HNPCC患者大肠癌肿瘤中的MSI发生率，由此探讨大肠癌患者家族中的胃癌等HNPCC相关肿瘤对发现HNPCC患者的意义。方法：选择符合Amsterdam标准的HNPCC组大肠癌标本18例，和不符合Amsterdam标准、但高度怀疑为HNPCC的可疑HNPCC组大肠癌标本16例，检测BAT26、D2S123、BAX、IGFIIR、hMSH3和hMSH66个做卫星位点的微卫星不稳在两组中的发生率，比较两组微卫星不稳频率的差异。结果：上述各傲卫星位点在HNPCC组和可疑HNPCC组标本中均显示较高的突变率。高度微p星不稳肿瘤在两组标本中的检出率分别为94．4％和93．7％．差异无显著性。BAT26对高度微卫星不稳肿瘤敏感度高。结论：MSI在中国HNPCC患者中的发生频率与国外类同。仅用BAT26可发现大部分高度微卫星不稳肿瘤。将胃癌等HNPCC相关肿瘤纳入临床诊断标准，可能有助于避免在中国大肠癌人群中漏诊HNPCC患者。     

Survival after adjuvant 5-FU treatment for stage III colon cancer in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

In vitro studies suggest that a deficient mismatch repair (MMR) system reduces 5-Fluorouracil cytotoxicity. Colon cancer (CC) in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is due to a dysfunctioning MMR gene that leads to microsatellite instability (MSI). Clinical studies on the efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in MSI high tumours are contradictory. In a retrospective study, we compared the survival of subjects with stage III CC from HNPCC families that were treated with and without adjuvant 5-FU. The Dutch HNPCC family registry was used. Information on adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III CC was obtained from subjects of families with a mutation and/or who fulfilled the AMS criteria or who were strongly suspicious for HNPCC. CC specific survival was calculated. Observation time was measured either until the date of death, date of a second primary CC or until the closing date of the study, i.e., June 1, 2001. Statistical analysis was done by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A total of 92 subjects with stage III CC were included. Twenty-eight of them (17 males) had adjuvant treatment with 5-FU. The median follow-up was 4 (range: 1-17) years; 8 subjects died of CC. The 5-year survival was 70% (95% Cl: 49-90). Sixty-four subjects (36 males) did not have adjuvant therapy. Their median follow-up was 6 (range: 0-23) years. Twenty of them died of CC. The 5-year survival in this group was also 70% (95% Cl: 59-83). To date, the selection of patients with CC for 5-FU treatment is based on the stage rather than the biology of the tumour. In our study, the 5-year survival of subjects treated with and without adjuvant 5-FU did not differ. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of MSI in 5-FU treatment of MSI-H tumours in HNPCC.     

Consideration of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in BRCA mutation‐negative familial ovarian cancers

BACKGROUND:

Inherited mutations account for approximately 10% of all epithelial ovarian cancers. Breast cancer (BRCA1 and BRACA2) gene mutations are responsible for up to 85% of inherited breast and/or ovarian cancer. Another condition that has been associated with ovarian cancer is hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC), which carries a lifetime risk of up to 13% for ovarian cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of HNPCC‐related gene mutations in patients with familial ovarian cancer who previously tested negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.

METHODS:

Seventy‐seven probands were identified who had familial ovarian cancer and negative BRCA gene mutation testing. Their pedigrees were analyzed for HNPCC syndrome. DNA samples underwent gene sequencing and Southern blot analysis for mutations in the 3 most common HNPCC‐associated genes: mutL homolog 1 (MLH1) and mutS homolog 2 (MSH2) with reflex testing for MSH6 if tests for the first 2 genes were negative.

RESULTS:

None of the probands met Amsterdam criteria for the clinical diagnosis of HNPCC. DNA testing revealed 2 patients (2.6%) with deleterious mutations in the MSH2 gene. An additional 8 patients (10.4%) had substitutions in either the MLH1 gene or the MSH2 gene that were classified as variants of uncertain significance. If Amsterdam criteria were expanded to include ovarian cancer, then 15 of 77 patients (19.5%) would have met these expanded criteria. One deleterious mutation was noted in this group, yielding a mutation incidence of 6.7%. This percentage may be even higher if any of the identified variants of uncertain significance are confirmed to be deleterious.

CONCLUSIONS:

HNPCC should be considered when evaluating patients with suspected hereditary ovarian cancer who have had negative BRCA mutation testing. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Use of microsatellite analysis in young patients with colorectal cancer to identify those with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI) in young patients with colorectal cancer was evaluated, including reexamination of the medical and family history of each patient, and interviews with the patients to determine any possible new occurrence of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in the patients themselves or their family members. METHODS: Fifty-three young patients (younger than 40 years of age) with colorectal cancer were selected and investigated. DNA was extracted from paraffin sections and microsatellite analysis was performed. RESULTS: The frequency of MSI among the young patients with colorectal cancer was 50.9%, which was significantly higher than the rate of 12-21% noted in older patients with colorectal cancer (P < 0.001). For the 24 young patients with colorectal cancer who did not have MSI, only one case of HNPCC kindred and two cases with a family history of cancer were identified. In contrast, among the 20 young patients with colorectal cancer who had MSI, five cases of HNPCC kindred, two cases with metachronous patients with colorectal cancer, and three cases with a family history of cancer were identified. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a defect in the DNA mismatch repair system may play some role in carcinogenesis in young patients with colorectal cancer. Microsatellite analysis and subsequent interviews regarding medical and family history are useful tools for efficiently identifying possible cases of HNPCC among young patients with colorectal cancer.     

Survival analysis of endometrial carcinoma associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common extracolonic tumor associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). HNPCC increases the risk of EC compared to the general population. Patients with HNPCC have a better prognosis than patients with common sporadic colorectal cancer. It is unknown, however, whether the survival rate of HNPCC-associated EC is higher than that of sporadic EC. The aim of our study was to compare the survival rates of HNPCC-associated EC with sporadic EC. From the registry of the Netherlands Foundation for Hereditary Tumors, 50 patients with HNPCC-associated EC from 46 families harboring a germline mutation or fulfilling the Amsterdam Criteria II were age- and stage-matched with 100 patients with sporadic EC registered in the Eindhoven Cancer Registry in the Netherlands. Survival rates were analyzed. The overall 5-year cumulative survival rates for patients with HNPCC-associated EC was 88% and 82% for patients with sporadic EC (p = 0.59). In Stages IA, IB and IC, the survival rates of patients with HNPCC-associated EC and sporadic EC were 92% and 91%, respectively (p = 0.90). In Stages IIIA and IIIC, the survival rates for HNPCC-associated EC and sporadic EC were 72% and 50%, respectively (p = 0.38). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the distribution of tumor histologic subtypes in the study and control groups (p = 0.55). The outcomes in survival in EC in the general population and in women from families with HNPCC do not differ significantly. These results may have important implications in our understanding of EC and the role of early screening.     

Colon cancer screening practices and disclosure after receipt of positive or inconclusive genetic test results for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND:

Patients who receive conclusive genetic test results for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) tend to adopt appropriate colorectal cancer screening behaviors and disclose their test results. However, little is known about the disclosure processes or screening behaviors of individuals who receive inconclusive genetic test results. This study compared endoscopy use and disclosure between individuals with positive and inconclusive genetic test results, within a year after results were received.

METHODS:

Individuals with a personal history of cancer and suspected of having HNPCC participated in genetics education and counseling, underwent HNPCC testing, and received genetic test results (GCT) within a prospective cohort study. Demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral data were obtained from questionnaires and interviews completed before and after GCT.

RESULTS:

Index cases with inconclusive genetic test results were less likely to screen within 12 months. Index cases who disclosed test results to children within 6 months were more likely to screen within 12 months, controlling for mutation status. Index cases with inconclusive genetic test results were less likely to share results with a healthcare provider within 6 months. Index cases who disclosed genetic test results to healthcare providers within 6 months were more likely to have endoscopy within 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Genetic test results and disclosure significantly affected colon cancer screening at 12‐month follow‐up. Interventions to improve adherence to colorectal cancer screening should consider increased education of those receiving inconclusive results and encourage disclosure to healthcare providers and family members. Cancer 2009. Published 2009 by the American Cancer Society.     

Aurora-A and Cyclin D1 polymorphisms and the age of onset of colorectal cancer in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Polymorphisms in the 2 cell-cycle control genes Aurora A and Cyclin D1 have previously been associated with changes in the age of onset of colorectal cancer in persons harboring germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). In this report, we have genotyped 312 individuals, who all harbored confirmed causative mutations in either hMSH2 or hMLH1, for 2 polymorphisms, one in Aurora A (T91A) and the other in Cyclin D1 (G870A). The results reveal that the previous association with the Aurora A polymorphism could not be confirmed in our larger group of HNPCC patients. The Cyclin D1 polymorphism, however, was associated with a significant difference in the age of disease onset on patients harboring hMSH2 mutations, which was not observed in hMLH1 mutation carriers. A combined analysis of the Aurora A and Cyclin D1 polymorphisms did not reveal any obvious association. In conclusion, it appears that the polymorphic variant of Aurora A does not appear to be associated with variation in colorectal cancer risk in HNPCC, whereas there is a more complex relationship between the Cyclin D1 polymorphism and disease risk in HNPCC.     

Haemochromatosis HFE gene polymorphisms as potential modifiers of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer risk and onset age

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is characterized by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes; however, variation in disease expression suggests that there are potential modifying factors. Polymorphisms of the HFE gene, which cause the iron overload disorder hereditary haemochromatosis, have been proposed as potential risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). To understand the relationship between HNPCC disease phenotype and polymorphisms of the HFE gene, a total of 362 individuals from Australia and Poland with confirmed causative MMR gene mutations were genotyped for the HFE C282Y and H63D polymorphisms. A significantly increased risk of developing CRC was observed for H63D homozygotes when compared with combined wild‐type homozygotes and heterozygotes (hazard ratio = 2.93, p = 0.007). Evidence for earlier CRC onset was also observed in H63D homozygotes with a median age of onset 6 years earlier than wild type or heterozygous participants (44 vs. 50 years of age). This effect was significant by all tests used (log‐rank test p = 0.026, Wilcoxon p = 0.044, Tarone‐Ware p = 0.035). No association was identified for heterozygosity of either polymorphism and limitations on power‐prevented investigation of C282Y homozygosity or compound C282Y/H63D heterozygosity. In the Australian sample only, women had a significantly reduced risk of developing CRC when compared with men (hazard ratio = 0.58, p = 0.012) independent of HFE genotype for either single nucleotide polymorphisms. In conclusion, homozygosity for the HFE H63D polymorphism seems to be a genetic modifier of disease expression in HNPCC. Understanding the mechanisms by which HFE interrelates with colorectal malignancies could lead to reduction of disease risk in HNPCC. © 2009 UICC     

Male breast cancer in the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome

A male member of a large HNPCC kindred, affected by primary malignancies of the breast and colon, was identified. This individual was found to harbor a germline mutation of the MLH1 mismatch repair gene previously shown to segregate with disease in this kindred. The breast tumor exhibited somatic reduction to homozygosity for the MLH1 mutation, and microsatellite instability was evident in the breast tumor. We conclude that hereditary male breast cancer can occur as an integral tumor in the HNPCC syndrome.