Hereditary Cancer Panel Test: Uses, Benefits, Process, and Who Should Consider It
A hereditary cancer panel test is a genetic test that examines multiple genes at the same time to identify inherited genetic variants that may increase a person’s risk of developing certain cancers. It can help doctors and genetic counselors assess hereditary cancer risk and guide appropriate screening, prevention, and, in some cases, treatment decisions.
What Is a Hereditary Cancer Panel Test?
A hereditary cancer panel test analyzes DNA for inherited changes, also called pathogenic variants, in genes associated with increased cancer susceptibility. Unlike a test that examines only one gene, a panel can evaluate many genes simultaneously.
For example, hereditary cancer panels may include genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and TP53, among others. These genes are associated with different hereditary cancer syndromes and cancer types.
MedGenome offers hereditary cancer testing using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Its current hereditary cancer testing information describes a panel covering 158 genes, with additional deletion and duplication analysis available for 30 genes in its comprehensive panel.
Why Is Hereditary Cancer Testing Important?
Most cancers are not caused by inherited genetic changes. The National Cancer Institute estimates that around 5% to 10% of all cancers are thought to be associated with harmful genetic changes inherited from a parent.
Identifying an inherited cancer-associated variant can provide useful information for the person being tested and, potentially, their biological relatives. Depending on the result, healthcare professionals may recommend changes to cancer screening, risk-management strategies, or additional genetic counseling.
A positive result does not mean that a person will definitely develop cancer. It generally indicates an increased inherited susceptibility associated with the specific genetic variant.
What Genes Are Included in a Hereditary Cancer Panel?
The exact genes vary between laboratories and individual panels. Depending on the test, a panel may examine genes associated with:
- Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
- Lynch syndrome
- Colorectal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Thyroid and endocrine cancers
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Polyposis syndromes
- Other hereditary cancer conditions
MedGenome’s hereditary cancer panel includes BRCA1 and BRCA2 along with many other cancer-associated genes. Its testing methodology includes NGS, with MLPA-based analysis available for deletion and duplication assessment in the comprehensive panel.
Who Should Consider a Hereditary Cancer Panel Test?
Genetic testing may be considered when a person’s personal or family history suggests the possibility of an inherited cancer syndrome.
Situations that may warrant discussion with a doctor or genetic counselor include cancer diagnosed at a young age, multiple primary cancers in one person, several relatives with related cancers, or a known pathogenic genetic variant in the family.
The NCI also notes that genetic testing is recommended in certain clinical situations, including ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, male breast cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. Specific testing recommendations can depend on the patient’s diagnosis and applicable clinical guidelines.
Practical Tip: If hereditary cancer is suspected, testing an affected family member first can often provide more useful information for determining whether a specific inherited variant is present in the family. Genetic counseling can help determine which testing approach is appropriate.
How Is the Hereditary Cancer Panel Test Performed?
The test generally requires a small biological sample, most commonly blood or sometimes saliva.
For MedGenome’s hereditary cancer testing, a peripheral blood sample collected in an EDTA tube can be used. The laboratory extracts DNA and uses NGS to analyze relevant genes. Additional techniques can be used to identify larger deletions or duplications that may not be detected through standard sequencing alone.
The general process includes:
Sample Collection
A blood sample is collected from the individual being tested.
DNA Extraction
DNA is isolated from the collected sample for genetic analysis.
Next-Generation Sequencing
NGS is used to examine multiple cancer-associated genes and identify relevant genetic variants.
Variant Analysis
Detected variants are assessed using laboratory databases, scientific evidence, and clinical interpretation.
Report and Genetic Counseling
The findings are reported and should be interpreted with the patient’s personal and family history by an appropriate healthcare professional.
What Can the Test Results Show?
A hereditary cancer panel may produce different types of findings.
Pathogenic or Likely Pathogenic Variant
A disease-associated genetic variant may be identified. Depending on the gene and variant, this can indicate an increased inherited risk for particular cancers.
No Pathogenic Variant Detected
No currently detectable pathogenic variant may be identified in the genes analyzed. However, this does not eliminate all cancer risk. A person’s personal and family history may still warrant appropriate screening.
Variant of Uncertain Significance
Sometimes a genetic change is identified but there is not enough evidence to determine whether it affects cancer risk. Such findings are generally interpreted cautiously and should not automatically be treated as disease-causing.
Hereditary Cancer Panel vs Tumor Genetic Testing
These two tests answer different questions.
A hereditary cancer panel looks for genetic changes that a person was born with and that may be inherited from a parent. These changes can have implications for relatives as well.
Tumor genetic testing, on the other hand, examines genetic changes that developed in cancer cells during a person’s lifetime. These are often called somatic mutations and may be useful for treatment selection.
The NCI specifically distinguishes inherited cancer-risk testing from tumor or biomarker testing and notes that tumor testing does not replace testing for inherited cancer risk.
Benefits of Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing
The major value of hereditary cancer testing is the additional information it can provide about inherited cancer susceptibility.
Depending on the result, testing may help healthcare professionals develop an appropriate surveillance plan, consider preventive strategies, and identify whether relatives could benefit from genetic counseling or testing.
For people who already have cancer, identifying an inherited variant may also provide information relevant to treatment planning and assessment of familial cancer risk. MedGenome describes hereditary cancer testing as supporting personal and familial risk assessment, risk management, and treatment-related decisions in appropriate circumstances.
Limitations of Hereditary Cancer Testing
A hereditary cancer panel cannot predict with certainty whether someone will develop cancer.
A negative result does not mean that cancer can never occur because genetic testing cannot identify every possible cause of cancer. Environmental factors, lifestyle, non-inherited genetic changes, and genetic variants that are not yet understood can also contribute to cancer risk.
There can also be uncertainty around some genetic findings. This is why genetic counseling and professional interpretation are important before and after testing.
Why Consider MedGenome for Hereditary Cancer Testing?
MedGenome provides genetic and genomic testing services in oncology, including hereditary cancer panels. Its current hereditary cancer panel information describes NGS analysis of 158 genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, and other genes associated with inherited cancer risk. The comprehensive panel also includes deletion and duplication analysis for selected genes.
MedGenome also lists separate hereditary testing options, including hereditary breast and ovarian cancer panels, Lynch syndrome testing, and BRCA1/BRCA2 analysis.
The choice of a specific panel should be based on the patient’s cancer history, family history, clinical indication, and advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hereditary cancer panel test?
It is a genetic test that examines multiple genes simultaneously to identify inherited variants that may increase the risk of certain cancers.
Is a hereditary cancer panel the same as a biopsy?
No. A hereditary cancer panel is a genetic test, usually performed using blood or another suitable sample. A biopsy involves collecting tissue or cells for examination.
Does a positive hereditary cancer test mean I have cancer?
No. A positive result can indicate an inherited predisposition to certain cancers, but it does not by itself mean that cancer is present.
Can hereditary cancer testing help family members?
Potentially. If a clinically significant inherited variant is identified, biological relatives may be offered genetic counseling and, when appropriate, testing for the specific familial variant.
Can a negative result completely rule out hereditary cancer?
No. A negative result means that no relevant pathogenic variant was detected in the genes and regions examined by that test. Personal and family history can still indicate an elevated risk.
How is MedGenome’s hereditary cancer panel performed?
MedGenome’s hereditary cancer testing uses next-generation sequencing to analyze multiple cancer-associated genes, with additional methods available for detecting selected large deletions and duplications.
Final Thoughts
A hereditary cancer panel test can provide important information when a personal or family history suggests an inherited cancer predisposition. By analyzing multiple genes in a single test, it can help healthcare professionals assess hereditary risk and determine whether additional surveillance, genetic counseling, or other risk-management strategies may be appropriate.
MedGenome offers hereditary cancer testing based on NGS, including broad multi-gene panels covering genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. The results should be interpreted alongside personal and family medical history rather than viewed in isolation.
