Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Foreword by Helena Kennedy
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part 1 Molecular biology and natural history
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Overview of the clinical genetics of breast cancer
- 3 Cowden syndrome and related disorders
- 4 Overview of the clinical genetics of ovarian cancer
- 5 Ovarian and breast cancer as part of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and other hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes
- 6 The natural history of hereditary breast cancer
- 7 Pathology of the breast and ovary in mutation carriers
- 8 Risk estimation for familial breast and ovarian cancer
- Part 2 Screening
- Part 3 Management
- Index
5 - Ovarian and breast cancer as part of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and other hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 August 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Foreword by Helena Kennedy
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part 1 Molecular biology and natural history
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Overview of the clinical genetics of breast cancer
- 3 Cowden syndrome and related disorders
- 4 Overview of the clinical genetics of ovarian cancer
- 5 Ovarian and breast cancer as part of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and other hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes
- 6 The natural history of hereditary breast cancer
- 7 Pathology of the breast and ovary in mutation carriers
- 8 Risk estimation for familial breast and ovarian cancer
- Part 2 Screening
- Part 3 Management
- Index
Summary
Introduction
Colorectal cancer is a common disease of Western populations. In the Netherlands (population: 15 million), 8000 new cases were diagnosed in 1996. In 5–10% of all colorectal cancer cases, genetic factors play a significant role. Two main groups of the hereditary form of colorectal cancer are commonly distinguished: polyposis types with multiple colorectal polyps, and non-polyposis types without multiple polyps. Non-polyposis colorectal cancer can be sub-classified into hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), characterized by early-onset colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer, and families with clustering of colorectal cancer at an advanced age. Within the polyposis types, a further distinction is made between adenomatous, hamartomatous and hyperplastic polyposis, and polyposis with mixed pathology (Vasen, 2000).
During the last decade, great progress has been made in molecular genetics. The genes responsible for most of the inherited forms of colorectal cancer have been identified, and DNA testing has been implemented in clinical practice on a large scale. The identification of people at high risk of cancer is important as preventive measures may be taken in such cases, which may lead to a reduction in the cancer-related mortality.
Decisions on the protocol of surveillance recommended in the various forms of heredirary cancers are made on the basis of the level of risk of developing a specific cancer and the availability of sensitive and specific screening tests.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Familial Breast and Ovarian CancerGenetics, Screening and Management, pp. 73 - 80Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2002