title: Human cancer syndromes: clues to the origin and nature of cancer.
abstract: More than 20 different hereditary cancer syndromes have now been defined and attributed to specific germline mutations in various inherited cancer genes. Collectively, the syndromes affect about 1 percent of cancer patients. An individual who carries a mutant allele of an inherited cancer gene has a variable risk of cancer that is influenced by the particular mutation, other cellular genes, and dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Though hereditary cancer syndromes are rare, their study has provided powerful insights into more common forms of cancer. Somatic mutations in sporadic cancers frequently alter the inherited cancer genes, and the functions of cell signaling pathways have been illuminated by study of the affected genes. Further investigation of inherited mutations that affect susceptibility to cancer will aid efforts to effectively prevent, detect, and treat the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, 4301 MSRB III, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0638, USA. efearon@mmg.im.med.umich.edu
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Fearon
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics*; D009857:Oncogenes; D009928:Organ Specificity; D019683:Penetrance; D015398:Signal Transduction