Familial and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer: issues relevant for surgical practice.
About 15% of patients with colorectal cancer report a family history of this disease. An estimated 1%-5% of patients have hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Recently, DNA mismatch repair genes associated with this syndrome were identified. For about 50% of families in which HNPCC occurs, DNA-based diagnosis and presymptomatic DNA testing are now feasible. Diagnosis of a hereditary tumour syndrome is relevant for both the patient with cancer and his or her close relatives. The complexities of family studies warrant the forming of a multidisciplinary team which may choose to work within a specialized cancer family clinic.
Menko
F H
FH
Department of Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Wijnen
J T
JT
Vasen
H F
HF
Sijmons
R H
RH
Khan
P M
PM
D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm