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Familial factors associated with malignant gliomas
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0560.
Genetic Epidemiology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Malignant glioma patients had more siblings than controls. Their families showed a higher incidence of various cancers, particularly breast and lung cancer, suggesting potential familial cancer clusters.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Malignant gliomas are aggressive brain tumors with limited understanding of their familial aggregation.
- Investigating family history may reveal genetic predispositions or shared environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare family histories of male malignant glioma patients with control families.
- To identify potential familial cancer clusters associated with malignant gliomas.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective family history study comparing 77 male malignant glioma cases with 77 control families (wives).
- Analysis included number of siblings, and incidence of specific diseases (mental retardation, Parkinson's, meningitis, various cancers) in relatives.
Main Results:
- Malignant glioma cases had significantly more siblings than controls.
- Relatives of cases showed elevated, though not statistically significant, odds ratios for mental retardation, Parkinson's disease, and meningitis.
- Statistically significant increased odds ratio (1.6) for any cancer site was observed in relatives of cases.
- Notable odds ratios for breast (2.4) and lung cancer (4.0) were found, with 8% of cases originating from families with multiple cancer diagnoses.
Conclusions:
- Malignant glioma may exhibit familial clustering, particularly with breast and lung cancer.
- Further research involving pedigree and genetic linkage analyses is warranted to explore these potential familial cancer syndromes.