Genetic Counselor Recommendations for Cancer Predisposition Evaluation and Surveillance in the Pediatric Oncology Patient

As the understanding of the genetic etiology of childhood cancers increases, the need for the involvement of experts familiar with the provision of genetic counseling for this population is paramount. In October 2016, the American Association for Cancer Research organized the AACR Childhood Cancer Predisposition Workshop in which international experts in pediatric cancer predisposition met to establish surveillance guidelines for children with cancer predisposition. Identifying for whom, when, why, and how these cancer predisposition surveillance guidelines should be implemented is essential. Genetic counselors invited to this workshop provide a genetic counseling framework for oncology professionals in this article. Points of entry and recommendations regarding the provision and timing of the initial and subsequent genetic counseling sessions are addressed. The genetic counseling and testing processes are reviewed, and the psychologic impact related to surveillance is explored. Pediatric cancer genetics will continue to grow and evolve as a field, and genetic counseling services will be vital to ensure appropriate identification and management of at-risk children moving forward. Clin Cancer Res; 23(13); e91–e97. ©2017 AACR.

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