Our current understanding of the genetic mechanisms that underly cancer pathogenesis is rapidly expanding. Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes are important to recognize for diagnostic and treatment decision-making but also for family members so they will benefit from surveillance and treatment options. This brief review gives primary care and oncology caregivers a summary of the evolution of hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes, indications for consideration of testing and therapy of patients and families.
Keywords: BRCA; Lynch; cancer; genetic; hereditary.