Colorectal adenomas in the lynch syndromes: Results of a colonoscopy screening program

Abstract
Forty-four asymptomatic putative Lynch syndrome patients participated in a colonoscopy screening program. There were 18 men and 26 women; mean age was 44 yr. Thirty percent of Lynch syndrome patients had at least one adenoma; 20% had multiple adenomas. In 18% of the patients, adenomas were discovered proximal to the splenic flexure. In a reference group of 88 age- and sex-matched patients, 11% had adenomas, 4% had multiple adenomas, and 1% had right-sided adenomas. Twenty-one Lynch syndrome patients had follow-up colonoscopies. Of 7 patients with adenomas on initial examinations, 6 had adenomas at follow-up. Of 14 patients with negative initial examination results, 3 had adenomas at follow-up. The prevalence of adenomas in the Lynch syndromes is greater than in an unselected reference group. The adenomas are more proximally located, corresponding to the site of cancer distribution in the Lynch syndromes. A high rate of synchronous and metachronous lesions is found. Our findings support the hypothesis that adenomatous changes are the premalignant lesion in the Lynch syndromes. We also found evidence of heterogeneity among Lynch syndrome families in adenoma incidence.

One to 2-Year Surveillance Intervals Reduce Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Families With Lynch Syndrome

Conclusions

With surveillance intervals of 1–2 years, members of families with Lynch syndrome have a lower risk of developing CRC than with surveillance intervals of 2–3 years. Because of the low risk of CRC in non-Lynch syndrome families, a less intensive surveillance protocol can be recommended.

Risk and Epidemiological Time Trends of Gastric Cancer in Lynch Syndrome Carriers in The Netherlands

" Lifetime risk of developing gastric cancer was 8.0% in males vs 5.3% in females  and 4.8% and 9% for MLH1 and MSH2 carriers, respectively."

 

 Conclusions

Lynch syndrome mutation carriers have a substantial risk for gastric cancer, in particular patients with an MLH1 or MSH2 mutation. Family history for gastric cancer is a poor indicator for individual risk. Surveillance gastroscopy for Lynch syndrome patients carrying an MLH1 or MSH2 mutation should therefore be considered.

MabCure, Inc. Announces Positive Results For New Ovarian Cancer Diagnostic Blood Test -- HASSELT, Belgium, July 27 - press release

"...MabCure will soon commence a follow-on study in collaboration with one of the foremost experts in women's cancers, Ignace Vergote, M.D., Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. The study will access a large number of previously collected clinical blood samples stored at the Bio-bank of the Catholic University Hospital, Leuven.

Following the conclusion of this study, MabCure plans to launch a multi-center prospective trial in Europe and in the U.S., as well as initiate commercialization of its diagnostic ovarian cancer MAbs in Europe through strategic partnerships and licensing. In parallel, MabCure plans to embark on the regulatory process for obtaining marketing approval in the U.S.

MabCure is currently evaluating the diagnostic potential of it MAbs in detecting ovarian cancer in high-risk patients in a clinical study in Thailand...."

NCI Cancer Bulletin - Expert Panel Reports on Knowledge Gaps for 20 Suspected Carcinogens

In a monograph released July 15, a coalition of leading health organizations called for more research into the possible cancer-causing effects of exposure to 20 chemical agents. Some of the named agents are commonly found in the environment, whereas others are more often limited to occupational exposures. A summary paper in Environmental Health Perspectives provides an overview of the technical report.

The monograph, titled Identification of research needs to resolve the carcinogenicity of high-priority IARC carcinogens, summarizes available evidence and provides specific guidance on the appropriate studies needed to definitively classify these agents. Several overarching issues were identified that pertain to multiple agents, including recognizing that carcinogenic agents can act through multiple pathways and mechanisms of toxicity.

“This report highlights the importance of conducting research in occupational settings to identify human carcinogens,” said Dr. Debra Silverman, a co-author of the report and chief of the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch in NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. “Findings from such occupational studies often allow experts to extrapolate the possible effects of low-level exposure to these agents in the general environment.”

“There is significant concern among the public about substances or exposures in the environment that may cause cancer, and there are some common occupational agents and exposure circumstances where evidence of carcinogenicity is substantial but not yet conclusive for humans,” added the report’s lead author, Dr. Elizabeth Ward, from the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The project originated as part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s National Occupational Research Agenda to enhance occupational cancer research, and it involves collaboration with NCI, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the ACS, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

NCI Cancer Bulletin The Evolving Science of Cancer Stem Cells

".....The CSC concept is “a work in transition,” said Dr. William Matsui, from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, whose lab studies the role of stem cells in hematologic cancers. “To me, as a clinical person, the ideal model is one where you can find something that is going to work in humans. We’re far from that.”.."cont'd

Genomics in our own hands : The Lancet Neurology

Note: the paper is freely accessible (requires registration (free)

CaringBridge - Zaida

note from her Mom (Nichol):
"Zaida's disease is stable, and has been for about a year!  Her last CA-125 (from a couple weeks ago) was 24.9...."

Do You REALLY Want to Read What Your Doctor Wrote? « WebMD Newsroom