Table 5. Genetic Diseases That Predispose to Osteosarcomaa

Syndrome DescriptionLocation Gene Function
Bloom syndrome [8]Rare inherited disorder characterized by short stature and sun-sensitive skin changes. Often presents with a long, narrow face, small lower jaw, large nose, and prominent ears.15q26.1 BLM (RecQL3)DNA helicase
Diamond-Blackfan anemia [9]Inherited pure red cell aplasia. Patients at risk for MDS and AML. Associated with skeletal abnormalities such as abnormal facial features (flat nasal bridge, widely spaced eyes). Ribosomal proteinsRibosome production [9,10]
Li-Fraumeni syndrome [11]Inherited mutation in TP53 gene. Affected family members at increased risk of bone tumors, breast cancer, leukemia, brain tumors, and sarcomas.17p13.1 P53DNA damage response
Paget disease [12]Excessive breakdown of bone with abnormal bone formation and remodeling, resulting in pain from weak, malformed bone.18q21-qa22 LOH18CR1IL-1/TNF signaling; RANKL signaling pathway
5q31
5q35-qter
Retinoblastoma [13]Malignant tumor of the retina. Approximately 66% of patients are diagnosed by age 2 years and 95% of patients by age 3 years. Patients with heritable germ cell mutations at greater risk of subsequent neoplasms.13q14.2 RB1Cell-cycle checkpoint
Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (also called poikiloderma congenitale) [14,15]Autosomal recessive condition. Associated with skin findings (atrophy, telangiectasias, pigmentation), sparse hair, cataracts, small stature, and skeletal abnormalities. Increased incidence of osteosarcoma at a younger age.8q24.3 RTS (RecQL4)DNA helicase
Werner syndrome [16]Patients often have short stature and in their early twenties, develop signs of aging, including graying of hair and hardening of skin. Other aging problems such as cataracts, skin ulcers, and atherosclerosis develop later.8p12-p11.2 WRN (RecQL2) DNA helicase; exonuclease activity

AML = acute myeloid leukemia; IL-1 = interleukin-1; MDS = myelodysplastic syndrome; RANKL = receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand; TNF = tumor necrosis factor.

aAdapted from Kansara et al.[7]

From: Childhood Cancer Genomics (PDQ®)

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PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet].
Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-.

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