title: Genetic predisposition as a basis for chemoprevention, surgical and other interventions in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Strategies of cancer prevention are generally developed with the population at large in mind. However, special attention is warranted for those persons with rare genetic traits associated with a greatly elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and some other malignancies: Orphan diseases demand Orphan preventive measures! Recent advances in modern genetics have enhanced our understanding of several genes and the specific germ-line mutations responsible for colorectal carcinogenesis. A number of features provide evidence for a genetic predisposition to CRC. These include typical clinical and histological features of a particular syndrome, a familial aggregation of CRC and associated malignancies, young age at onset of CRC, occurrence of multiple neoplasias and/or unusual localisation of the tumour (e.g., right side of the colon). In hereditary colorectal cancer, genetic testing can easily be demonstrated as cost-effective.
authors.affiliation: Research Group Human Genetics, Division of Medical Genetics UKBB, Department of Clinical-Biological Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hansjakob
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plasilova
authors.forename: Anna Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heinimann
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018890:Chemoprevention; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins