Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer: Clinical, Predictive and Ethical Perspectives

by Edited by William D. Foulkes , Shirley V. Hodgson

• ISBN13: 9780521104746
• ISBN10: 0521104742
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-19
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Many cancers, both common and rare, are known to have a hereditary predisposition. Recent advances in genomics have clarified the risks, and in some cases the mechanisms, of cancer developing in an individual. This volume covers all the key issues in cancer genetics, reviewing both the technology behind genetic risk assessment and the ethical dilemmas it poses. The first of two parts deals with ethical, legal, and social issues, with chapters on counseling, screening, and gene and mutation identification. The second part systematically outlines current knowledge of the inheritance patterns of many different cancer types, both from a site-by-site perspective and for special groups. With a final chapter highlighting late-breaking developments, this up-to-date and authoritative volume will be of great interest to the specialist as well as other professionals in the areas of primary care, counseling, and cancer risk assessment.

Table of Contents

Ethical, legal and social issues, screening, counselling, gene and mutation detection

The inherited basis of cancer

Screening for cancer in those at high risk as a result of genetic susceptibility

Ethical and legal perspectives on inherited cancer susceptibility

Cancer genetics and public expectations

Genetic counselling

Cancer genetics in primary care

Genetic epidemiologic approaches to finding genes that influence susceptibility to cancer

Mutation detection

Hereditary contribution to cancer: site-by-site and special groups

Cancers of the digestive system

Cancers of the breast, ovary and uterus

Cancers of the kidney and urothelium

Cancers of the prostate and testes Steven Narod

The neurofibromatoses and other neuro-oncological syndromes

Malignant melanoma

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Endocrine cancers

Tobacco-related cancers of the respiratory and upper digestive tract

Inherited abnormalities of DNA processing and predisposition to cancer

Childhood cancer

Late-breaking developments

Index

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