Scientists have identified a new gene that appears to be linked to a small but significant percentage of familial cancer cases - as well as seemingly randomly occurring malignancies. The finding has scientists re-examining commonly held beliefs about the nature and frequency of genetic mutation as a cause of cancer. Familial cancer, in contrast to inherited cancer, is defined as multiple cases of cancer in one family that cannot be accounted for by classic rules of inheritance. The findings are published in the April 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
