[Genetic background and clinical features of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer]

With the development of the molecular biology more pathological condition have been identified (p53 mutation and breast cancer, Ret protooncogene point mutation and medullary thyroid cancer), which could lead to malignant disease. The recent advances in the molecular genetics lead to the recognition of the hereditary diffuse gastric cancer that inherited in a dominant autosomal manner with incomplete penetrance. About 25-30% of families fulfilling the criteria have germline mutation of the CDH1 gene coding the calcium-dependent E-cadherin protein. In confirmed cases, prophylactic gastrectomy suggested in the early adolescent age.