Genetic aspects of (gynecological) tumours

In recent years, the genetic aspects of cancer have become important for ev eryday practice in many fields of medicine. Recognition of the hereditary n ature of 'common' cancers in certain families: has shifted the paradigm fro m 'hereditary cancer is extremely rare' to 'any cancer case might be geneti c'. Gynecologists, therefore, increasingly need to master a number of basic skills and notions from clinical genetics: not only in order to adequately appreciate family histories and genetic test results, but also to cope wit h their far-reaching consequences. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. A ll rights reserved.