Order or find a test

The National Genomic Test Directories specify which genomic tests are commissioned by the NHS in England, to be delivered by Genomic Laboratory Hubs.

Clinical Indication ID & Name

R210

Inherited MMR deficiency (Lynch syndrome)

Test Group

Core

Test code

R210.2

Test name

N/A

Target genes

Inherited MMR deficiency (Lynch syndrome) (503)

Test scope

n/a

Test method/ technology

Small panel

Optimal Family Structure

n/a

Eligibility Criteria

All new diagnoses of colorectal and endometrial cancer should have tumour MSI / IHC as outlined in the cancer test directory and the Lynch syndrome handbook for Alliances in order to identify dMMR tumours
1. Clinical Criteria for germline testing in an affected individual
a. The proband has a dMMR tumour where results of BRAF and/or MLH1 hypermethylation testing suggest Lynch syndrome
b. The affected proband comes from a modified Amsterdam criteria positive family irrespective of the dMMR status of the tumour
c. Personal or family history suggestive of Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency (CMMRD) with Wimmer score =>3

2. Clinical criteria for MSI /IHC testing on a stored tumour sample prior to germline testing
a. Personal/family history of colorectal cancers reaching Modified Amsterdam Criteria (≥ 3 cases of Lynch related cancer over ≥2 generations with ≥1 case diagnosed <50 years) OR b. Any lynch-related cancer* <50 years (excluding isolated pancreas, prostate or gastric cancers) c. Two Lynch-related cancers (any age, one is colorectal or endometrial), OR d. Lynch-related cancer and ≥ 1 first degree relative has Lynch-related cancer (both occurred ≤60 years, one is colorectal or endometrial), OR e. Lynch-related cancer and ≥ 2 relatives (first / second / third degree relatives) have Lynch-related cancer (all occurring ≤75years, one is colorectal or endometrial), OR f. Lynch-related cancer and ≥ 3 relatives (first / second / third degree relatives) have Lynch-related cancer (occurring any age, one is colorectal or endometrial) *Lynch-related cancers comprise: Colorectal cancer, Endometrial cancer, Epithelial ovarian cancer, Ureteric cancer, Transitional cell cancer of renal pelvis, cholangiocarcinoma, Small bowel cancer, Glioblastoma, endocervical cancer, multiple sebaceous tumours, prostate, gastric and pancreas 3. Clinical Criteria for somatic (tumour) Lynch syndrome panel testing a. Proband has colorectal or endometrial cancer with a dMMR tumour with normal BRAF and MLH1 hypermethylation analysis AND germline testing did not reveal a pathogenic mutation OR personal/family pattern of disease whereby demonstration of acquired MMR mutations (and therefore exclusion of constitutional MMR abnormality) enables downscaling of surveillance b. Deceased affected individual with colorectal or endometrial cancer ≤60 years AND tumour featuring high/intermediate MSI or loss of staining of MMR protein(s) on IHC, AND one first degree relative with Lynch-related cancer ≤60 AND no living affected individual is available for genetic testing. 4. Clinical Criteria for germline testing in an unaffected individual a. First degree relative affected with Lynch-related cancer, AND b. Family history of colorectal cancer/Lynch-related cancers reaches Amsterdam Criteria (≥3 cases over ≥2 generations with ≥1 case affected <50 years) AND c. Tumour sample analysis from affected family member has been attempted and is not possible, failed, indeterminate or indicates MMR deficiency (via IHC or MSI), AND d. Somatic sequencing is not possible, or failed, AND e. No living affected individual is available for genetic testing 5. Criteria for germline MLH1 promoter methylation a. Families where MLH1 promotor methylation has been identified in >1 affected individual with
colorectal cancer ≤ 60

NOTE: The proband’s cancer and majority of reported cancers in the family should have been confirmed

Testing of unaffected individuals can only be carried out by Clinical Genetics Services
Genetic testing may occasionally be appropriate outside these criteria following discussion at a specialist MDT with a cancer geneticist present

Test code

R210.5

Test name

N/A

Target genes

MLH1;MSH2;MSH6;PMS2

Test scope

n/a

Test method/ technology

MLPA or equivalent

Optimal Family Structure

n/a

Eligibility Criteria

All new diagnoses of colorectal and endometrial cancer should have tumour MSI / IHC as outlined in the cancer test directory and the Lynch syndrome handbook for Alliances in order to identify dMMR tumours
1. Clinical Criteria for germline testing in an affected individual
a. The proband has a dMMR tumour where results of BRAF and/or MLH1 hypermethylation testing suggest Lynch syndrome
b. The affected proband comes from a modified Amsterdam criteria positive family irrespective of the dMMR status of the tumour
c. Personal or family history suggestive of Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency (CMMRD) with Wimmer score =>3

2. Clinical criteria for MSI /IHC testing on a stored tumour sample prior to germline testing
a. Personal/family history of colorectal cancers reaching Modified Amsterdam Criteria (≥ 3 cases of Lynch related cancer over ≥2 generations with ≥1 case diagnosed <50 years) OR b. Any lynch-related cancer* <50 years (excluding isolated pancreas, prostate or gastric cancers) c. Two Lynch-related cancers (any age, one is colorectal or endometrial), OR d. Lynch-related cancer and ≥ 1 first degree relative has Lynch-related cancer (both occurred ≤60 years, one is colorectal or endometrial), OR e. Lynch-related cancer and ≥ 2 relatives (first / second / third degree relatives) have Lynch-related cancer (all occurring ≤75years, one is colorectal or endometrial), OR f. Lynch-related cancer and ≥ 3 relatives (first / second / third degree relatives) have Lynch-related cancer (occurring any age, one is colorectal or endometrial) *Lynch-related cancers comprise: Colorectal cancer, Endometrial cancer, Epithelial ovarian cancer, Ureteric cancer, Transitional cell cancer of renal pelvis, cholangiocarcinoma, Small bowel cancer, Glioblastoma, endocervical cancer, multiple sebaceous tumours, prostate, gastric and pancreas 3. Clinical Criteria for somatic (tumour) Lynch syndrome panel testing a. Proband has colorectal or endometrial cancer with a dMMR tumour with normal BRAF and MLH1 hypermethylation analysis AND germline testing did not reveal a pathogenic mutation OR personal/family pattern of disease whereby demonstration of acquired MMR mutations (and therefore exclusion of constitutional MMR abnormality) enables downscaling of surveillance b. Deceased affected individual with colorectal or endometrial cancer ≤60 years AND tumour featuring high/intermediate MSI or loss of staining of MMR protein(s) on IHC, AND one first degree relative with Lynch-related cancer ≤60 AND no living affected individual is available for genetic testing. 4. Clinical Criteria for germline testing in an unaffected individual a. First degree relative affected with Lynch-related cancer, AND b. Family history of colorectal cancer/Lynch-related cancers reaches Amsterdam Criteria (≥3 cases over ≥2 generations with ≥1 case affected <50 years) AND c. Tumour sample analysis from affected family member has been attempted and is not possible, failed, indeterminate or indicates MMR deficiency (via IHC or MSI), AND d. Somatic sequencing is not possible, or failed, AND e. No living affected individual is available for genetic testing 5. Criteria for germline MLH1 promoter methylation a. Families where MLH1 promotor methylation has been identified in >1 affected individual with
colorectal cancer ≤ 60

NOTE: The proband’s cancer and majority of reported cancers in the family should have been confirmed

Testing of unaffected individuals can only be carried out by Clinical Genetics Services
Genetic testing may occasionally be appropriate outside these criteria following discussion at a specialist MDT with a cancer geneticist present

Commissioning group

Core

Overlapping idications

n/a

Address for samples/request forms

Genetics Laboratory
5th Floor Tower Wing
Guy’s Hospital
London
SE1 9RT

Contact with queries

gst-tr.southeastglh@nhs.net

Supporting documents

n/a

Education resources

n/a

Turn around times

All our turnaround times are listed on our specific turn around page https://southeastgenomics.nhs.uk/professionals/service-turn-around-times/

Consent record

See consent guidance in test request form

Sample requirements

Samples may be rejected for the following reasons: 1.Samples and request form do not show at least three identical patient identifiers 2.The sample is in the incorrect collection media 3.The request form is not sufficiently completed 4.The sample is not of sufficient volume 5.The sample is too old