The hereditary spectrum of pancreatic cancer: the Edmonton experience.
OBJECTIVE
Pancreatic cancer is known to aggregate in some families and has been associated with a wide variety of cancer syndromes. The authors describe their experience with pancreatic cancer and the range of associated cancer syndromes.


METHODS
The charts of all patients seen for concern of a hereditary cancer syndrome in the Cancer Genetics Clinic at the University of Alberta between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed.


RESULTS
Forty families reported a personal or family history of pancreatic cancer in the context of a possible hereditary cancer syndrome. Three additional families reported a history of pancreatitis. Twenty-four (56%) of those families were suspected of having a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. A further seven (16%) were suspected of having hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. Only three (7%) were believed to be at risk for a site-specific pancreatic cancer syndrome. Another three (7%) were suspicious for hereditary pancreatitis. The remaining family histories were suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome or a nonspecific cancer predisposition.


CONCLUSIONS
With such a wide variety of hereditary cancer syndromes associated with pancreatic cancer, an accurate assessment of the family history is essential to determine the most appropriate cancer screening for at-risk family members and to guide any molecular testing that may be offered.
Lilley
Margaret
M
Alberta Cancer Genetics Program, Walter C Mackenzie Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Canada.
Gilchrist
Dawna
D
D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics*; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics; D009790:Occupations; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology