Familial Lung Cancer Research Articles

Familial risk of lung cancer among nonsmokers and their relatives.

The role of family history of lung cancer in predicting lung cancer risk among nonsmokers and their relatives was evaluated in a population-based family study conducted in metropolitan Detroit. Lung cancer risk factor data were collected through telephone interviews with 257 nonsmoking lung cancer cases 40-84 years of age diagnosed between 1984 and 1987, their 2,252 relatives, 277 nonsmoking controls, and their 2,408 relatives. Lung cancer in a first-degree relative was associated with a 7.2-fold (95% confidence interval 1.3-39.7) increased risk of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the 40- to 59-year-old age group. This significant increased risk remained after adjustment for the smoking, occupational, and medical history of each family member (relative risk = 6.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1-33.4). Offspring of nonsmoking cases comprised another lung cancer high risk group (relative risk = 7.2, 95% confidence interval 0.5-103). A positive family history did not increase lung cancer risk among nonsmokers 60-84 years of age or their relatives. These findings suggest that susceptibility to lung cancer in families of nonsmoking cases may be evident only in a subset of relatives of early-onset nonsmoking cases.

1077 Prospective assessment of cancer incidence and antipyrine metabolism

Our previous studies revealed faster metabolism of antipyrine among lung cancer patients and their first degree relatives in comparison with subjects without cancer history in their families. Among 95 relatives of 27 lung cancer patients and 277 controls cancer morbidity during the period of eight years was analysed. Forty-two subjects from lung cancer families and 55 subjects from control families had previously assessed antipyrine metabolism. Two lung cancer cases and 8 non tobacco related cancers were noticed in lung cancer families. In the control group no one developed lung cancer. Also one case of tobacco related cancer and 11 cases of non tobacco related cancers were noticed in controls. The relatives of lung cancer patients in whom lung cancer was diagnosed had very fast antipyrine metabolism. The possible risk for lung cancer in families of lung cancer patients and connection with antipyrine metabolism were discussed.