Family History as a Risk for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer: A Case Control Study

Background: Although, family history of cancer is an important risk factor for upper gastrointestinal cancers development, but limited information is available on the upper gastrointestinal cancers associated with family history in Iran. The purpose of this study was to define upper gastrointestinal cancers risk associated with family history of cancer.

Methods: This study was conducted as a case control study. A total number of 1,010 cases of upper gastrointestinal cancer and 1,010 healthy controls were recruited. For family history of cancer, questions were asked about any malignant tumor in first and second degree relatives. Adjusted odds ratio estimates for the association family history and upper gastrointestinal cancers risk and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were obtained.

Results: A family history of any malignant tumor in relatives was associated with 1.3 fold increased risks of upper gastrointestinal cancers. A first-degree family history of esophageal and gastric cancer was significantly associated with upper gastrointestinal cancers development, with an adjusted OR of 4.7(CI 95%: 2.6- 8.4).

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that risk for upper gastrointestinal cancers increases among individuals with family history of cancer. Therefore, appropriate screening strategies especially in relatives of patients should be considered to prevent and control of disease.