| Abstrakt: |
Two siblings, in each of two families, contracted carcinoma of the colon when they were less than 30 years of age. In view of the fact that, anually, in Finland, only five or six persons contract carcinoma of the colon when they are less than 30 years old, the incidence cannot be considered a mere coincidence. Also, a family susceptible to carcinoma of the colon has been described in this report, in which all children of a mother who died of cancer of the colon when she was 42 years old contracted carcinoma. Furthermore, a member of the third generation contracted the disease at an age which was less than 30 years and the oldest member of the family was only 31 years.Based on evidence obtained from their study of cases reviewed in this report, the authors assume that evidence has been established to prove that hereditary factors contribute to the origin of carcinoma of the colon. This view is supported by reports, in medical literature, of families with a marked predisposition to carcinoma of the colon. Finally, it is interesting to observe that despite probable hereditary influence and the youth of many patients, a number appear to be capable of recovering when suitable measures are employed to eradicate the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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