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

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.