title: Dominant genes for colorectal cancer are not rare.
abstract: The genetic basis for colorectal cancer was investigated by complex segregation analysis of a published series of consecutive pedigrees ascertained through patients undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer. Analysis favoured a dominant gene or genes with a frequency of 0.006 with a lifetime penetrance of 0.63. These genes account for 81% of colorectal cancer in patients under 35, however, by 65 about 85% are phenocopies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Southampton General Hospital.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Houlston
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slack
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree