Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has published their Year in Review for 2022. It includes an important update on the genetics of pediatric cancers.
Children with cancer are not routinely screened for inherited genetic mutations associated with the disease, but a study led by pediatric oncologist and geneticist Michael Walsh and genetic counselor Elise Fiala may change that. The team sequenced healthy cells from more than 750 children treated at MSK Kids, our pediatric program, and found that 18% had a heritable mutation that predisposes them to developing cancer — a much higher number than expected. In many cases, the mutation found had no known link to the existing cancer. This research helps fill a gap in understanding the potential connections between inherited mutations and pediatric cancer, and may prompt families to take steps to reduce the risk of future cancers.
You can read more updates from MSKCC in their Year in Review PDF.