TY - JOUR
T1 - Family History in an Oncology Clinic
T2 - Implications for Cancer Genetics
AU - Lynch, Henry T.
AU - Follett, Karen L.
AU - Lynch, Patrick M.
AU - Albano, William A.
AU - Mailliard, James L.
AU - Pierson, Robert L.
PY - 1979/9/21
Y1 - 1979/9/21
N2 - Detailed family histories of cancer were solicited from 200 consecutively ascertained cancer patients undergoing treatment in an oncology clinic. Approximately 18% had two or more first-degree relatives with cancer of any anatomic site. In several cases, striking familial aggregations of cancer fulfilled more rigorous criteria for hereditary cancer syndromes, including early age at onset of generally late-occurring tumors, characteristic tumor patterns, vertical transmission, and collateral family lines similarly afflicted. Review of preexisting clinic charts demonstrated that, in most cases, the family history of cancer had been either omitted altogether, reported as negative despite substantial evidence to the contrary, or, if noted as positive, not pursued or acted on. Family history can be more successfully utilized in recognition of suggestive familial cancer aggregations, ultimate identification of hereditary cancer syndromes, and control of cancer in clinical practice.
AB - Detailed family histories of cancer were solicited from 200 consecutively ascertained cancer patients undergoing treatment in an oncology clinic. Approximately 18% had two or more first-degree relatives with cancer of any anatomic site. In several cases, striking familial aggregations of cancer fulfilled more rigorous criteria for hereditary cancer syndromes, including early age at onset of generally late-occurring tumors, characteristic tumor patterns, vertical transmission, and collateral family lines similarly afflicted. Review of preexisting clinic charts demonstrated that, in most cases, the family history of cancer had been either omitted altogether, reported as negative despite substantial evidence to the contrary, or, if noted as positive, not pursued or acted on. Family history can be more successfully utilized in recognition of suggestive familial cancer aggregations, ultimate identification of hereditary cancer syndromes, and control of cancer in clinical practice.
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U2 - 10.1001/jama.1979.03300120022017
DO - 10.1001/jama.1979.03300120022017
M3 - Article
C2 - 480539
AN - SCOPUS:84943986845
VL - 242
SP - 1268
EP - 1272
JO - JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association
JF - JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association
SN - 0002-9955
IS - 12
ER -