Main description:

It has been recognized for almost 200 years that certain families seem to inherit cancer. It is only in the past decade, however, that molecular genetics and epidemiology have combined to define the role of inheritance in cancer more clearly, and to identify some of the genes involved. The causative genes can be tracked through cancer-prone families via genetic linkage and positional cloning. Several of the genes discovered have subsequently been proved to play critical roles in normal growth and development. There are also implications for the families themselves in terms of genetic testing with its attendant dilemmas, if it is not clear that useful action will result.
The chapters in The Genetics of Cancer illustrate what has already been achieved and take a critical look at the future directions of this research and its potential clinical applications.

Contents:

List of contributors. Preface. Breast cancer genetics; D. Eccles, R. Houlston. The genetics of lung cancer; N.E. Caporaso. Colorectal cancer; J.D. Potter, et al. The genetics of prostate cancer; R.A. Eeles. Lessons from developmental biology; E.T. Stuart, P. Gruss. Animal models for the study of genetic susceptibility to cancer; M.N. Gould. Animal models to look for polygenic effects in cancer predisposition; T.A. Dragani, M.A. Pierotti. Human repair deficiencies and predisposition to cancer; M. Hall, et al. Implications of studies of inherited predisposition for prevention and treatment; C.M. Steel. Mutagenic properties of anticancer drugs; L.R. Ferguson. Index.