title: Genetic models of carcinogenesis.
abstract: The major genetic models of carcinogenesis are critically reviewed to determine their validity and relevance for clinical and experimental oncologists. Of major concern are the "two-hit" theory of Knudson and the host resistance system of Matsunaga. These models may be used to explain the pathobiologic peculiarities of human neoplasms, particularly those occurring in early life. It is proposed that certain benign and regressive tumors encountered in early life are expressions of the activity of the host resistance system.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004330:Drosophila; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D014481:United States; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology