What are the genes that are associated with pancreatic cancer?
Most of the genes responsible for the clustering of pancreatic cancer are unknown. However, several genes have been discovered that account for about 10-15% of the clustering of pancreatic cancer in families. BRCA2: The BRCA2 gene got its name because it was the 2nd breast cancer gene identified. The team at Johns Hopkins, and others, has shown that 6%-12% of familial pancreatic cancer patients have an inherited defect in the BRCA2 gene. One particular defect in the BRCA2 gene (a mutation called 6174delT) is found in about 1% of individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. This mutation may explain the higher rate of pancreatic cancer observed this group. It is estimated that the lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer in carriers of a BRCA2 gene mutation may be as high as 10%. Clinical testing is available for BRCA2. See below for more information on genetic testing. PALB2: The PALB2 genes official name is partner and localizer of BRCA2. This gene contains the information to make the PALB2 pro
