Preventive strategies in familial and hereditary colorectal cancer

Zachariah H Foda; Pooja Dharwadkar; Bryson W Katona

doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2023.101840

Preventive strategies in familial and hereditary colorectal cancer

Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2023 Oct:66:101840. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2023.101840. Epub 2023 May 24.

Authors

Zachariah H Foda¹, Pooja Dharwadkar², Bryson W Katona³

Affiliations

¹ The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
² Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
³ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

PMID: 37852714
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2023.101840

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While most cases are sporadic, a significant proportion of cases are associated with familial and hereditary syndromes. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease, and those with hereditary syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis have a significantly higher risk. In these populations, preventive strategies are critical for reducing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. This review provides an overview of current preventive strategies for individuals at increased risk of colorectal cancer due to familial or hereditary factors. The manuscript includes a discussion of risk assessment and genetic testing, highlighting the importance of identifying at-risk individuals and families. This review describes various preventive measures, including surveillance colonoscopy, chemoprevention, and prophylactic surgery, and their respective benefits and limitations. Together, this work highlights the importance of preventive strategies in familial and hereditary colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Chemoprevention; Colorectal cancer; Familial and hereditary syndromes; Genetic testing; Preventive strategies; Risk assessment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli* / diagnosis
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli* / genetics
Colonoscopy
Colorectal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Colorectal Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Colorectal Neoplasms* / genetics
Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis* / diagnosis
Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis* / epidemiology
Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis* / genetics
Genetic Testing
Humans
Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary* / diagnosis
Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary* / genetics
Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary* / prevention & control
Risk Assessment
Syndrome