Why a variant of uncertain significance isn’t a diagnosis
Variants & interpretation · 2 min read · Updated 30 July 2026
In brief
Uncertain means the evidence is incomplete. Guidelines say not to act on a VUS, and most are eventually reclassified as benign.
A variant of uncertain significance is a change we can see clearly but cannot interpret confidently. The evidence is genuinely split or thin - that is the whole meaning of the term.
Clinical guidelines are explicit that a VUS should not be used to make medical decisions or to change screening. Most VUS findings are eventually reclassified as benign.
A VUS is worth discussing with a clinician who knows your family history, because family history changes what the same variant implies.