FAMILIAL OVARIAN-CANCER - UPDATE AND CLINICAL-APPLICATIONS

Background. Genetics plays a role in all cancers. Evidence exists for the presence of inherited genes associated with the development of ova rian cancer in three familial ovarian cancer syndromes: a site-specifi c ovarian cancer syndrome, a breast/ovarian cancer syndrome, and an ov arian cancer syndrome associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorect al cancer. Methods and Results. The authors present an updated summary of recent advances within the field of ovarian cancer genetics and ex amine the extent to which this genetic information, at both an epidemi ologic and molecular level, may be used to identify a subset of women who are likely to be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. I n addition, the extent to which these data may be used to define metho ds of prevention or treatment for women at risk is discussed. Conclusi on. Women who are members of high risk ovarian cancer families should receive genetic screening and medical follow-up in an effort to reduce their overall chances of morbidity and death associated with the deve lopment of ovarian and other cancers. The construction of cancer famil y registries will help to identify women at risk and facilitate their entry into clinical trials and screening programs for ovarian cancer.