MALFORMATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH SOFT-TISSUE SARCOMA AND IN THEIR PARENTS AND SIBLINGS

The presence of malformations in a population-based series of 181 chil dren diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma and in the majority of their p arents and siblings was ascertained from family interviews and medical records. Five index children (2.8%) had serious anomalies, a figure n ot in excess of that derived from general population data. Fourteen si blings (4%) were affected, and higher rates of malformations were seen in siblings of female case children (P = 0.06) and siblings of childr en with visceral tumours (P = 0.03). There was no correlation between site of tumour in the index and specific organ system anomalies in the index or in their respective siblings. The survey indicated that ther e are unlikely to be strong associations between childhood soft tissue sarcoma and major malformations, a situation distinct from that found in Wilms' tumour.