Changing patterns of referrals and outcomes of genetic participation in gynaecological-oncology multidisciplinary care.

BACKGROUND: Genetic participation in gynaecological oncology multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT) may identify the sentinel cancer in women with hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome or Lynch syndrome.

AIMS: To identify the changing patterns of genetic referral from 2010 to 2014 and the outcomes of referrals through clinical MDT case review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of cases of gynaecological cancer presented at the MDT meetings and genetics databases were reviewed to determine the frequency and outcomes of recommendations for genetic referral between 2010 and 2014.

RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-two women of 2523 cases reviewed were recommended for referral, increasing from 8% in 2010 to 25% in 2014. However, 167 of 462 patients (36%) had not registered with a Hereditary Cancer Clinic in NSW/ACT, including 11 women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer and seven women with abnormal MMR immunohistochemistry. Mutations were identified in 40 of 165 women (24%) undergoing breast cancer BRCA1/2 testing and in ten of 25 women (40%) who underwent MMR genetic testing. Eighty-one first- or second-degree relatives of these women have undergone predictive testing, identifying 48 mutation carriers and 33 non-carriers.

CONCLUSION: Changing indications and increased participation by a genetic consultant in the weekly MDT meeting has led to increasing genetic referrals over the last five years. Follow up of referrals needs to be addressed. With decreasing costs of genetic testing and use of readily transportable DNA collected through saliva or mouth swabs, we propose that distance should not be a barrier to this model being extended to all centres providing care to gynaecological cancer patients.