Lynch syndrome (LS) accounts for around 3% of colorectal cancers (CRCs) and is caused by germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Recently, screening strategies to identify patients with LS have become popular. We audited CRCs screened with MMR immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 2013. 209 tumours had MMR IHC performed at a cost of £12 540. 47/209 (21%) cases showed IHC loss of expression in at least one MMR protein. 28/44 cases with loss of MLH1 had additional BRAF V600E testing, at a cost of £5040. MMR IHC reduced the number of potential clinical genetics referrals from 209 to 47. BRAF mutation testing, performed in a subset of cases with MLH1 loss, further reduced this to 21. At a cost of £1340 per referral, this model of LS screening for clinical genetics referral had significant potential savings (£234 340) and can be easily implemented in parallel with MMR IHC done for prognostication in CRCs.
Journal article
J Clin Pathol
12/2015
68
1036 - 1039
AUDIT, COLORECTAL CANCER, QUALITY ASSURANCE, Adenocarcinoma, Colorectal Neoplasms, Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis, Costs and Cost Analysis, DNA Mismatch Repair, Genetic Testing, Germ-Line Mutation, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Mass Screening, Medical Audit, Microsatellite Instability, Prognosis, Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf, Referral and Consultation, Retrospective Studies