Published online Nov 10, 2016. doi: 10.5317/wjog.v5.i4.218
Peer-review started: June 14, 2016
First decision: July 11, 2016
Revised: September 15, 2016
Accepted: October 25, 2016
Article in press: October 27, 2016
Published online: November 10, 2016
Processing time: 147 Days and 18.5 Hours
Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant inherited cancer predisposition syndrome caused by a mismatch of DNA repair (MMR system). Lifetime risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancer in LS is higher than in the general population and gynecologic screening appears interesting. Screening is based on several tests: pelvic ultrasound, endometrial biopsy and hysteroscopy for endometrial cancer, pelvic ultrasound and CA125 for ovarian cancer. Those tests appear efficient for the diagnosis of gynecologic cancers in LS. Nevertheless, screening tests have not proved clinical benefit until now, and potential problems of compliance, risk of false negative cases, and interval cancer associated with screening do justify offering prophylactic surgery to patients. Women with LS should be informed of the potential benefits and risks of screening and the importance of evaluation in case of gynecologic symptoms or abnormal bleeding. Chemoprevention by progestin-containing oral contraceptives and the treatment of premalignant lesion are available options for reducing the risk of endometrial cancer in LS population.
Core tip: Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant inherited cancer predisposition syndrome caused by a mismatch of DNA repair, lifetime risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancer in LS is higher than in the general population. Gynecologic screening appears interesting for the diagnosis of gynecological cancers in LS although screening tests have not proved clinical benefit until now. The aim of this review was to describe the various forms of screening and the results in this population.