CARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS AND TYLOSIS - A LETHAL GENETIC COMBINATION

Hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles (tylosis) is an uncommon genetic disorder. A small number of English families, however, have been desc ribed in which it is associated with carcinoma of the esophagus. The c urrent report is of the first American family described with this cond ition. Members of those families affected with tylosis have at least a 90% risk of esophageal carcinoma by age 65 years. The paired conditio ns have an autosomal dominant mode of transmission and probably are co ntrolled at a single genetic locus. The actual pathologic state might be mediated through an increase in epidermal growth factor receptors i n the abnormal tissues.