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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
07:58
Cell-Free DNA Integrity Analysis in Urine Samples
Published on: January 5, 2017
Genitourinary cancer predisposition syndromes.
David J Gallagher1, Andrew Feifer, Jonathan A Coleman
1Clinical Genetics Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. gallaghd@mskcc.org
Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
|September 7, 2010
Summary
Genetic factors significantly contribute to genitourinary cancers, but heritability is poorly understood. Research is exploring common genetic variations and susceptibility loci to improve understanding and potential clinical management.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Oncology
- Genitourinary Malignancies Research
Background:
- Epidemiologic data suggest a substantial genetic influence on genitourinary cancers.
- Heritability of prostate, bladder, kidney, and testicular cancers is not well understood.
- Rare, high-penetrance syndromes explain little of the observed familial predisposition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of genitourinary malignancies.
- To explore the role of common genomic variation and structural variants in cancer predisposition.
- To identify susceptibility loci for improved understanding of cancer etiology and natural history.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiologic data on genitourinary cancer heritability.
- Analysis of findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
- Identification of susceptibility loci for specific genitourinary cancers.
Main Results:
- Common genomic variations and structural variants are implicated in cancer causation.
- Susceptibility loci for prostate, bladder, and testicular cancer risk have been identified.
- Existing knowledge explains only a fraction of familial cancer predisposition.
Conclusions:
- Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in genitourinary cancers.
- Emerging genetic insights, particularly from common variations, are crucial for understanding cancer development.
- The clinical utility of genetic predisposition knowledge in managing these cancers requires further investigation.
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