BREAST-CANCER-PRONE FAMILIES

Abstract

Three breast-cancer-prone families are reported. It is strongly suggested that familial clustering of breast cancer is related to genetic factors. In family S, five family members of two generations were diagnosed as having breast cancer, and one had thyroid cancer metachronously. In family K, four family members of two generations were diagnosed as having breast cancer, and moreover, gastric cancer, colon cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer were seen in family members. In family A with a breast cancer patient as the proband, gastric cancer, colon cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer were seen in six members of two generations. According to an analysis of the organs from which cancer originated in these three cancer-prone families, it was suggested that there was only chronological difference between breast-cancer-prone families with organ specificity and other cancer-prone families. The clinical significance noting familial clustering of cancer is to detect high-risk groups for cancer. Screening and follow-up of the members of cancer-prone families may help to detect early cancerous lesions and to make early therapeutic decisions.