Managing CDH1 Cancer Risks in a Child: Complex Decision Making in a Family With Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer

Am J Med Genet A. 2025 Feb;197(2):e63897. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63897. Epub 2024 Oct 11.

Abstract

Germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in CDH1 cause hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. The management of CDH1 cases with a positive family history includes total prophylactic gastrectomy or intensive surveillance. In this study, we report a 16-year-old boy with intramucosal gastric signet ring cells in the setting of a germline CDH1 PV and a family history of early-onset gastric cancer. The approach to managing both the proband and their 9-year-old sister, who also had the CDH1 PV, presented a challenge to both clinicians and the family. Herein, we present the complexities of managing gastric cancer risk when a CDH1 PV is identified in childhood in the setting of a family history of early-onset gastric cancer.

Keywords: CDH1; adolescent; diffuse gastric cancer; pediatric; young adult.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antigens, CD* / genetics
  • Cadherins* / genetics
  • Child
  • Decision Making
  • Female
  • Gastrectomy
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Germ-Line Mutation* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pedigree*
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • CDH1 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Antigens, CD