National Pathology Workshop: From diagnosis of cancer to diagnosis of Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited condition caused by pathogenic variants in DNA genes which result in an increased risk of colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers.

LS affects approximately 1-in-300 to 1-in-400 people, with 200,000 – 300,000 people likely to have this condition in the UK. It is estimated that only 5% of people with LS have been diagnosed with this condition.

NICE guidelines recommend universal testing for LS in people with colorectal (CRC) [DG27] and endometrial cancer [DG42].

The workshop outlines the responsibilities of pathologists in the Lynch syndrome testing pathway, and is aimed at pathologists, biomedical scientists and any other pathology department or Colorectal and Gynae cancer MDT staff.

Topics and speakers:

1) An introduction to Lynch Syndrome and the national NHS GMS transformation project

Kevin Monahan, Consultant Gastroenterologist at St Mark’s Hospital and Co-Chair of the national NHS GMS Lynch Syndrome Oversight Group

2) The Lynch Syndrome testing pathway and the role of the pathologist

Nick West, Associate Professor of Pathology and Honorary Consultant in Gastrointestinal and Molecular Pathology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust