What kind of cancer is inherited

The gene with the mutation is also called a "cancer susceptibility gene. However, if the working copy of the gene in a cell becomes damaged by a mutation, that cell can lose its growth control and become cancerous. Thus, individuals who inherit a cancer susceptibility gene have a much greater chance for developing certain cancers in their lifetime.

However, not everyone with an inherited cancer susceptibility gene will develop cancer. Damaged cancer susceptibility genes can be inherited, and passed on, by men just as easily as women. If a parent carries a cancer susceptibility gene, each of their children has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene, and thus the susceptibility to cancer.

Each child also has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the working copy of the gene, in which case their cancer risk would be no higher than that of the general population. It should be noted that some cancer susceptibility genes only have links to cancers that may not be seen in both sexes, such as ovarian and prostate cancers.

The tumours can be non cancerous benign or cancerous malignant. MEN2 can cause a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer. People with MEN2 also have an increased risk of developing adrenal gland tumours. A fault in the RB1 gene can increase the risk of developing a rare type of eye cancer called retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma most commonly affects children under the age of 5. It can affect one or both eyes. FAMMM is a syndrome that increases your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer.

They also have at least one close relative with a diagnosis of melanoma. A close relative is a parent, brother or sister, or child. It may also increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

But doctors need more research to find out for sure. Hereditary papillary cancer is linked with a high risk of developing kidney cancer. Talk to your GP if you think you could have inherited any of these faulty genes. Or if you have a strong family history of cancer. A strong family history of cancer means multiple close family members on the same side of the family who have the same cancer or related cancer types.

Your GP can refer you to a genetic clinic where you will see a genetic counsellor or genetic doctor. They can look into your family history and offer you genetic testing. Family history and inherited cancer genes. Genetic testing for cancer risk. Getting your genetic test results. The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking.

We used many references and there are too many to list here. Please contact patientinformation cancer. Most of these cancers develop before they are Lynch syndrome also leads to a high risk of endometrial cancer cancer in the lining of the uterus , as well as cancers of the ovary , stomach , small intestine , pancreas , kidney , brain , ureters tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder , and bile duct.

These genes are normally involved in repairing damaged DNA. Doctors and genetics professionals can check if Lynch syndrome is likely based on your personal and family cancer history using certain criteria.

Mutations in the genes that cause Lynch syndrome can then be tested for with genetic testing. For people who have colorectal or endometrial cancer, the tumor tissue can be tested for MMR gene changes, or for other changes that can be caused when one of these genes is faulty, which is known as microsatellite instability or MSI. But if one of these is present, the person may have Lynch syndrome, and is referred for genetic counseling and possible testing.

For more information about genetic testing, see Genetics and Cancer. Someone who is known to carry a gene mutation linked to Lynch syndrome may start screening for colorectal cancer when they are younger such as during their early 20s , or take other steps to try to prevent cancer from starting discussed in more detail in Colorectal Cancer. Women with Lynch syndrome may start screening for endometrial cancer or take other steps to try to prevent this cancer.

These are discussed in more detail in Endometrial Cancer. They may wish to be tested, or even without testing they may wish to start screening early for certain cancers or take other precautions to help lower their risk of cancer. Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a rare inherited syndrome that can lead to the development of a number of cancers, including sarcoma such as osteosarcoma and soft-tissue sarcomas , leukemia , brain central nervous system cancers , cancer of the adrenal cortex and breast cancer.

These cancers often develop when people are relatively young. People with Li-Fraumeni also can develop more than one cancer in their lifetime. They also seem to have a higher risk of getting cancer from radiation therapy, so doctors treating these patients might try to avoid giving them radiation when possible. This syndrome is most often caused by inherited mutations in the TP53 gene, which is a tumor suppressor gene. A normal TP53 gene makes a protein that helps stop abnormal cells from growing.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome can also be caused by mutations in a tumor suppressor gene called CHEK2 , which also normally helps stop cells with DNA damage from growing.

If someone has Li-Fraumeni syndrome, their close relatives especially children have an increased chance of having a mutation, too. They may wish to be tested, or even without testing they may wish to start screening for certain cancers early or take other precautions to help lower their risk of cancer. People with a strong family history of cancer may want to learn their genetic makeup.

This may help the person or other family members plan their health care for the future. These genetic changes are called mutations.

If your parent has a genetic mutation, it does not mean you definitely have it too. Similarly, if you have a genetic mutation, it doesn't mean your child has it. A parent who has one copy of a genetic mutation will pass on either the mutated gene or the normal gene.

A parent can pass on the genetic mutation and increased risk even if she or he never develops cancer. A child who does not inherit the abnormal mutation cannot pass it on. If you inherit a mutation that increases cancer risk it does not mean you are destined to get cancer.

It means your risk is higher than average. Knowing you have mutation creates opportunities to decrease the risk through cancer screening and other risk-reduction measures.

Learning that you have cancer, or that a close relative does, may make you think you should go online and order one of those genetic tests you may have read about or seen advertised.

That's not a wise idea. Seeing a genetic counselor will also allow you to be confident that the right tests are ordered and that the results are interpreted correctly. Genetic testing typically involves a blood or saliva sample.