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Familial occurrence of hematologic malignancies and other diseases in multiple myeloma: a case-control study
1Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
Having a family history of hematologic malignancies or specific cancers like prostate or brain tumors increases the risk of developing multiple myeloma. This population-based study highlights the importance of familial cancer history in myeloma risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells.
- Understanding familial risk factors is crucial for early detection and prevention strategies.
- Previous studies suggest a potential genetic predisposition to multiple myeloma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the occurrence of diseases in first-degree relatives and the risk of multiple myeloma.
- To identify specific cancer types in relatives that may increase multiple myeloma risk.
Main Methods:
- Population-based case-control study conducted in Sweden.
- Questionnaires were distributed to cases, controls, and next-of-kin.
- Malignant diseases in first-degree relatives were verified using official records.
Main Results:
- An elevated risk of multiple myeloma was observed in individuals with first-degree relatives diagnosed with hematologic malignancies (RR=2.36).
- A significantly higher risk was associated with relatives having multiple myeloma (RR=5.64).
- The risk of multiple myeloma increased with a family history of other tumors, particularly prostate cancer (RR=3.11) and brain tumors (RR=6.61).
Conclusions:
- A family history of hematologic malignancies, multiple myeloma, and other tumor diseases is associated with an increased risk of developing multiple myeloma.
- Specific cancers in relatives, such as prostate cancer and brain tumors, are notable risk factors.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering familial cancer history in the context of multiple myeloma risk.
Abstract:
In a population-based case-control study in Sweden on multiple myeloma, the occurrence of different diseases in relatives, particularly hematologic malignancies and different types of cancer, was investigated. Through a questionnaire mailed to all living subjects, i.e. cases and controls, and to the next-of-kin for deceased subjects, information was obtained on malignant and certain other diseases among relatives. All malignant diseases reported among first-degree relatives were verified, if possible, through parochial authorities and the Swedish Cancer Register. In total, data from 239 cases with myeloma and 220 controls were analyzed. An increased risk was found for persons with first-degree relatives with hematologic malignancies (relative risk [RR] = 2.36, 90 percent confidence interval [CI ) = 0.90-6.15), and also with multiple myeloma specifically (RR = 5.64, CI = 1.16-27.51). An increased risk also was seen if the close relatives had experienced another tumor disease (RR = 1.21, CI = 0.86-1.71). Particularly, occurrence of prostatic cancer (RR = 3.11, CI = 1.25-7.71) or brain tumor (RR = 6.61, CI = 1.42-30.67) in relatives increased the risk for multiple myeloma.