Hereditary Factors in Multiple Primary Malignancies Associated with Lung Cancer

Shuji Haraguchi1 , Kiyoshi Koizumi2, Masafumi Hioki1, Takao Hisayoshi3, Tomomi Hirata2 and Kazuo Shimizu2

(1) Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School Musashikosugi Hospital, 1-396 Kosugi-cho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki Kanagawa, 211-8533, Japan
(2) Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
(3) Department of Surgery, Mitaka Chuo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Received: 25 April 2006 Accepted: 24 November 2006 Published online: 30 April 2007

Abstract
Purpose There are differences between lung cancer alone and multiple primary malignancies associated with lung cancer (MPMLC) in terms of clinical characteristics. However, the importance of these differences has not yet been clarified.
Methods Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on 123 patients with MPMLC and 815 patients with lung cancer alone who underwent operative procedures for lung cancer from August 1982 to March 2004.
Results Age, number of family with a family history of other malignancies except for smoking-related cancers, and pathological early stage of lung cancer were significantly high in patients with MPMLC based on univariate analyses (P < 0.0001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05, respectively). Age and family history of malignancy were thus found to be significant factors based on a multivariate analysis.
Conclusions MPMLC demonstrated a significant association with advanced age and stronger hereditary factors in comparison with lung cancer alone, indicating the need for different approaches to properly manage and follow up risk patients.
Key words Lung cancer - Multiple primary malignancies - Family history