Inherited Risk Factors for Stomach Cancer?
Stomach Cancer: Understanding Your Genetic Risk
Getting a stomach cancer diagnosis can be intimidating. As you work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan and conduct more tests, you'll learn more about the type of stomach cancer you're dealing with.
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Among your many questions, you might wonder if stomach cancer is hereditary. Oncologist Suneel Kamath, MD, sheds light on the genetic risk factors for stomach cancer and why genetic testing is essential for some individuals.
Genetic Risk Factors for Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is not hereditary in most cases, asserts Dr. Kamath. However, a few genetic conditions can raise the risk of developing stomach cancer:
- Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC)
- Lynch syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)
Dr. Kamath emphasizes that these hereditary syndromes usually result in stomach cancer diagnoses at a much younger age compared to non-hereditary stomach cancer. The main difference is that the cancer cells in hereditary gastric cancer invade the stomach lining diffusely and may not cause noticeable symptoms until the cancer has spread.
Another interesting aspect? Hereditary gastric cancer is often associated with lobular breast cancer, a relatively rare form of breast cancer.
Regarding other inherited cancer syndromes like Lynch syndrome, numerous family members may develop various cancers, including stomach cancer. The presentation of these cancers is similar to those observed in nonhereditary stomach cancer, primarily affecting a specific part of the stomach, not the entire one. However, the age of onset is typically much lower.
Who to Talk to About Your Diagnosis
Dealing with a stomach cancer diagnosis can be tough. If you have a hereditary form of stomach cancer, you'll also need to inform your family about your diagnosis and the potential impact it may have on their risk of stomach cancer.
To make the discussion easier, Dr. Kamath advises keeping it straightforward: "You can say something like, 'I was diagnosed with this hereditary syndrome and my doctors recommend that other relatives get tested.' Let the family take it from there, and have them speak with their healthcare providers about their test results."
Genetic Testing for First-Degree Relatives
Family members should be informed about changes in your family history, especially if there are multiple cases of stomach cancer, breast cancer, or other hereditary cancer syndromes. If you're diagnosed with a hereditary form of stomach cancer, it's essential that first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) undergo genetic testing. Testing can involve bloodwork or a cheek swab to analyze genes.
"For the relatives who test positive, we recommend different screening patterns, which may involve more intensive screenings beyond usual mammograms and colonoscopies," says Dr. Kamath.
In conclusion, while stomach cancer is uncommon in a hereditary context, it's vital to inform your first-degree relatives and encourage them to speak to their healthcare providers and undergo genetic testing if needed.
"Remember that most hereditary cancer syndromes increase the risk of multiple types of cancer, including stomach cancer," says Dr. Kamath. "The only way to detect these hereditary conditions is through genetic testing."
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- Dr. Kamath asserts that although stomach cancer is not hereditary in most cases, certain genetic conditions like HDGC, Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, FAP, and CVID can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
- Hereditary gastric cancer can lead to diagnoses at a younger age compared to non-hereditary cases, with cancer cells invading the stomach lining diffusely and often being associated with lobular breast cancer.
- If diagnosed with a hereditary form of stomach cancer, it is essential for first-degree relatives to undergo genetic testing, as this may lead to different screening patterns and increased risk of multiple types of cancer.
