BACKGROUNDThe examination of specific characteristics of neoplasms diagnosed in children have suggested that a significant proportion can be attributed to a genetic mutation or genetic predisposition. Although the study of a genetic predisposition to cancer in children remains in the early stages, congenital abnormalities could provide essential information for mapping predisposing lesions in children with cancer.METHODSIn the current study, 2 large cohorts of children with and without congenital abnormalities were followed for the occurrence of cancer and death up to 18 years. Through this study, the risk of developing cancer by age at diagnosis, effects of birth characteristics on cancer risk, and possible associations between specific anomalies and tumor types were examined.RESULTSBased on the follow‐up of 90,400 children, the risk of developing cancer during the first year of life was found to be nearly 6 times higher in children with anomalies (rate ratio [RR] of 5.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.7–9.1). Children with birth defects were found to be at a higher risk for developing leukemia (RR of 2.7; 95% CI, 2.1–3.6), tumors of the central nervous system (RR of 2.5; 95% CI, 1.8–3.4), sympathetic nervous system tumors (RR of 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4–3.4), and soft tissue sarcomas (RR of 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0–3.5). Among children with birth defects, children with Down syndrome, nervous system anomalies, and anomalies of the urinary system had the highest incidence rates of cancer. In the presence of birth defects, other factors such as birth weight, gestational age, age of the mother, and birth order were not found to be associated significantly with the risk of cancer.CONCLUSIONSThe significant relative risks found in the current study provided evidence of links between the presence of abnormalities and the development of cancer. Some “cancer‐prone” abnormalities were identified in the current study. Such anomalies may be markers of other exposures or processes that increase the risk of developing cancer. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.