Download Cancer Genetics

Cancer Genetics
Genetic Disorder
What are cancer genetics?
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Many cancer-predisposing traits are inherited in an autosomal dominant
fashion, that is, the cancer susceptibility occurs when only one copy of the
altered gene is inherited.
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For most people who develop cancer, the cancer-causing gene mutations
happen over the course of a lifetime, leading to cancer later in life. Some
people are born with a gene mutation that they inherited from their mother
or father. This damaged gene puts them at higher risk for cancer than most
people. When cancer occurs because of an inherited gene mutation, it is
referred to as "hereditary cancer.“
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Cancer is a condition where some of our cells are damaged and cannot be
repaired by our body. These cells can begin to grow and divide abnormally
and escape our body’s normal control processes. These abnormal cells are
cancer cells.
What are some symptoms?
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Cancer cells can grow together as masses called tumors which replace
normal cells in tissue or organs. Cancer cells can interfere with the normal
functioning of the organ where they arose, and they can also spread to
surrounding tissue or through the blood and lymph tissue to other organs.
When cancer cells spread beyond their original site to other organs it is
called "metastasis.“
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Cancer usually develops slowly, often involving multiple steps (damage to
multiple genes), over a period of several years. Cancer can usually be
treated. Depending on what step or stage the cancer is found, it often can be
cured
Other Hereditary Cancers
Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) is a hereditary syndrome that
can increase the risk for the following cancers: colon (particularly under age 50)
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Ovarian, endometrial (uterine), stomach, small intestine, and bile duct
Cowden Syndrome can increase the risk for the following cancers: breast
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Thyroid (non-medullary), Cowden Syndrome can also cause distinct skin lesions
Peutz-Jegher Syndrome can increase the risk for the following cancers: colon
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Breast and pancreas
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Peutz-Jegher Syndrome can also cause multiple pigmented spots on lips and inner
cheeks
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome can increase the risk for the following cancers: breast
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sarcomas (bony and soft-tissue), brain tumors, and childhood adrenocortical
carcinomas