A. Figer et al., Phenotypic characteristics of colo-rectal cancer in I1307K APC germline mutation carriers compared with sporadic cases, BR J CANC, 85(9), 2001, pp. 1368-1371
The 11307K APC germline mutation is associated with an increased risk to co
lo-rectal cancer (CRC). Whether and to what extent the phenotype of CRC in
mutation carriers differs from sporadic cases, remains unknown. To gain ins
ight into this issue, we analysed 307 unselected Israeli patients with CRC,
who were treated in a single medical centre, for harbouring the 11 307K mu
tation. Twenty-eight mutation carriers (9.1%) were detected. Two of 28 muta
tion carriers (7.1%) and 93/277 (33.6%) of non-carriers, were of non-Ashken
azi origin (P < 0.01). In 74/278 (26.6%) of the sporadic cases, and only 1/
28 (3.6%) of mutation carriers (3.6%) the tumour was located in the right c
olon (P < 0.01). Mutation carriers had a more advanced disease stage (114/2
8 - 50% Dukes C), as compared with 60 (19.5%) of non-carriers (P = 0.02). T
he mean age at diagnosis was similar: 65 (+/- 9.7) years and 66.3 (+/- 11.6
) years, for mutation carriers and noncarriers, respectively. No statistica
l differences were noted between the two groups in sex distribution, tumour
grade, and family history of cancer. We conclude that early age at diagnos
is and family history of cancer cannot be used to predict who is likely to
harbour the 11 307K APC germline mutation carriers. However, the tumours in
patients with this mutation appear different than those without, are less
likely to be proximal and more likely to be advanced than tumours in non-ca
rriers. (C) 2001 Cancer Research Campaign.