Privacy Protection and Familial Tumor Study: From the Legal Perspective

Abstract

Case reports are important components of familial tumor study, but there is little consensus on how to protect patient privacy in case reports. Anonymization by omitting or changing patient details has been used as a method of protecting patient privacy. However, ensuring complete anonymity is almost impossible and changing patient details could compromise the scientific value of the report. It is important to obtain informed consent for publication from patients.