Molecular diagnosis of inherited cancers: Which cancers should be screened?

Our knowledge in the genetic basis of hereditary human cancer has improved over the last 10 years. Molecular diagnoses have become feasible in major hereditary cancer-prone syndromes, as well as in other hereditary diseases in which cancer appears as symptoms or complications. The major cancer-prone syndromes are described here with a table summarizing the links between various cancer types and the genetic syndromes to which they could belong. Clinicians should be aware of these new diagnostic tools. Specific consultations in oncogenetics are being settled to help clinicians and patients in the course of establishing molecular diagnoses, and providing guidelines for a better surveillance of high-risk persons.