Genetic Testing and Family History Assessment Needed in Gastric Cancer Treatment
The Department of Surgery research team at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Cheonan and Bucheon (Professors Yoon Jonghyuk, Choi Yoonyoung, Song Geumjong, and Lee Moonsu) announced on May 13 that they have become the first in Asia to prove that Lynch syndrome, a genetic factor, can influence the development of gastric cancer.
While Lynch syndrome has previously been known as a hereditary disorder related to colorectal and endometrial cancers, this is the first large-scale study to demonstrate its association with gastric cancer in Koreans.
The research team selected 127 patients with 'microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)' status from among 1,537 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery at the two hospitals between 2011 and 2023.
Among the 123 patients whose normal tissue samples were available for analysis, 6 patients, or about 5%, were diagnosed with Lynch syndrome.
The study was published in the latest issue of the authoritative cancer journal, Chinese Journal of Cancer Research, and the research team also received the Outstanding Researcher Award at the International Congress of the Korean Surgical Society.
Professor Yoon Jonghyuk stated, "It is important to consider genetic factors when treating gastric cancer patients, and genetic testing as well as family history assessment should also be performed." He added, "We will continue research on early diagnosis of gastric cancer through genetic testing in the future."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
