The Management of Familial Tumors: a Counseling Service Based on a Systematized Surveillance of Family History

Abstract

We developed a systematized surveillance system of family history for every inpatient. Physicians obtain a family history from all inpatients. Investigators in the familial tumor counseling service review survey sheets of family history. Patients who meet the diagnostic criteria for familial tumors are registered in the database. They are then referred to our service and provided with familial tumor counseling. We carry out gene testing if necessary. Between November 2000 and January 2004, we obtained 2,448 pedigrees and recorded 59 cases. In these 59 cases, counseling was performed in 25 cases, and gene testing was performed in 10 cases. Mutations were detected in 5 cases. We are also managing a web page at the National Shikoku Cancer Center, and we have created a patient brochure that address familial tumors. We hope this new system will contribute to the development of services for patients with familial tumors.