Novel Detection Methods for Endometrial Cancers in Lynch Syndrome

Mehul Trivedi, MD - CGA-IGC Communications Committee Member

We kicked off the 2026 CGA-IGC webinar series with a discussion on novel detection methods for endometrial cancer (EC) in Lynch syndrome (LS). We heard from Dr. Alicia Latham from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Dr. Jessica St. Laurent from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who shared their work on EC screening strategies. Watch it HERE

We started by reviewing the current limitations of EC screening guidelines in LS, which currently recommend annual or biennial endometrial biopsy (EMB) prior to risk-reducing hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-opherectomy. Evidence supporting this approach remains limited and sensitivity of screening remains low, as is adherence due to the invasive and painful nature of EMBs.

Dr. Latham then presented pilot data from her study leveraging circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) technology collected from endocervical samples. Endocervical sampling yielded significantly higher concentrations of tumor DNA compared to plasma and was able to detect tumor-derived mutations in over 90% of early-stage ECs.

Next, Dr. St. Laurent touched upon the patient experience component of screening, highlighting the distress associated with EMBs and emphasized recently updated ACOG guidelines aimed at improving pain management. Her team’s study sought to evaluate the feasibility of a less invasive method of tissue collection, utilizing menstrual cups. Early results suggest this is an acceptable, feasible and preferred method of screening compared to EMB. Their study has also focused on organoid development from collected samples to aid future studies to assess biomarkers.

The Q&A session touched on optimal screening intervals for these new methods, coordination of EMBs with colonoscopies, and future directions for ovarian cancer detection in LS. While it was highlighted that larger trials need to be conducted prior to implementing these methods into routine care, these studies mark an important step towards more effective, and patient-centered strategies for EC screening in LS.

Many thanks to Dr. Latham and Dr. St. Laurent for sharing their work, and to all who joined the discussion. We look forward to seeing you at the next CGA-IGC webinar!

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