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Malignant Tumors among Twins: A Study of Divergent Views

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

Louis Keith  and
Eric Brown
Louis Keith*
Affiliation:
Departments of Microbiology and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
Eric Brown
Affiliation:
Departments of Microbiology and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
*
The Chicago Medical School, 2020 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA

Summary

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Agreement prevails that MZ twins have higher concordance rates for cancer than do DZ twins. The exact genetic influence on concordance remains doubtful. Neither the patient groups nor the means by which data are analyzed are comparable. The naturally higher perinatal mortality rate among twins affects statistical analysis of diseases among surviving cotwins. Classification of zygosity among all studies of twins is not entirely reliable.

A review of published reports of cancer among twins notes concordance in a variety of tumors. Genetic factors appear to operate either in the concordance of the cancer or in the site of the specific tumors. A genetic origin of tumors in MZ twins is possible. Tumors, including type, site, and age of onset, affect MZ twins more than both members of a DZ pair.

Computerized permanent twin registers should be established for study of prospective follow-up of large twin populations. Suggestions are made for implementation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , October 1970 , pp. 576 - 583
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1970

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