Review of findings in prophylactic gynaecological specimens in Lynch syndrome with literature review and recommendations for grossing

Aims: Prophylactic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is being increasingly undertaken in patients with Lynch syndrome (LS). The pathological features in such specimens are not well described and, unlike the SEE-FIM protocol for salpingo-oophorectomy specimens in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and the gastrectomy grossing protocols for patients with CDH1 (E-cadherin) mutations, guidelines have not been devised for the grossing of prophylactic gynaecological specimens from LS patients. We aimed to review the pathological findings in a series of prophylactic gynaecological specimens from LS patients and develop guidelines for the grossing of these specimens. Methods and results: We reviewed the pathological findings in 25 prophylactic gynaecological specimens from LS patients and audited the grossing protocols in different centres across Ontario, Canada. We found a 32% incidence of endometrial carcinoma or a precursor lesion; the two endometrial cancers identified were low-grade, low-stage endometrioid adenocarcinomas. To address the absence of guidelines for pathological examination, we undertook a literature review of gynaecological malignancies and incidental findings in prophylactic specimens in LS patients. Conclusion: We provide recommendations regarding the grossing of such specimens which includes in-toto examination of the lower uterine segment, endometrium, ovaries and fallopian tubes with representative sampling of the cervix.