Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is known to aggregate in some families and has been associated with a wide variety of cancer syndromes. The authors describe their experience with pancreatic cancer and the range of associated cancer syndromes. The charts of all patients seen for concern of a hereditary cancer syndrome in the Cancer Genetics Clinic at the University of Alberta between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed. Forty families reported a personal or family history of pancreatic cancer in the context of a possible hereditary cancer syndrome. Three additional families reported a history of pancreatitis. Twenty-four (56%) of those families were suspected of having a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. A further seven (16%) were suspected of having hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. Only three (7%) were believed to be at risk for a site-specific pancreatic cancer syndrome. Another three (7%) were suspicious for hereditary pancreatitis. The remaining family histories were suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome or a nonspecific cancer predisposition. With such a wide variety of hereditary cancer syndromes associated with pancreatic cancer, an accurate assessment of the family history is essential to determine the most appropriate cancer screening for at-risk family members and to guide any molecular testing that may be offered.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterologie
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.