Uncover Clues About Potential Germline Risk in Somatic Tumor Testing Reports

Approximately 10% of cancers are linked to a germline (inherited) pathogenic variant, which can be confirmed with germline susceptibility testing of a blood, skin, or saliva sample (not a tumor specimen). Identification of individuals with a germline pathogenic variant helps clinicians predict their risk for developing malignancies and provide recommendations for cancer prevention and early detection. If an individual develops a tumor, subsequent somatic predictive or prognostic biomarker tumor testing may be indicated. In some cases, a germline pathogenic variant may inform decisions about cancer-directed therapy, such as the use of a PARP inhibitor in those with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variant.