Hereditary site-specific colon cancer in a Canadian kindred.

In summary, we have presented a large Canadian kindred exhibiting hereditary large bowel cancer, without polyposis coli, transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion (Hereditary Site-Specific Colon Cancer). This series serves to emphasize the heritable nature of this and other malignant conditions and the importance of so fundamental a concept as the taking of a complete family history in the identification and management of these conditions. Looking to the future, the reduction of morbidity and mortality from Hereditary Site-Specific Colon Cancer lies in the education of the family and genetic counselling, both commencing in the mid teens the education of physicians and surgeons in the very considerable risk of malignancy in this condition the surveillance of asymptomatic family members including such measures as stool testing for occult blood six monthly augmented by air contrast barium enema and/or colonoscopy at two yearly intervals, commencing at age 25 the creation of national and international registries the identification of reliable biomarkers. We are indeed fortunate to live in a age when technology holds promise for the identification of the oncogenes operative in this and other heritable malignancies. This is the subject of ongoing collaboration between us and our molecular biology colleagues at Memorial University in St. John's and exemplifies, I believe, the very best in the cooperative spirit which may exist between a community hospital and a larger teaching centre.