We began epidemiological studies of haematological malignancies (lymphomas, leukaemias and related diseases) in Tasmania, the island state of Australia, in 1972. Our work has identified a number of families each containing several cases. In contrast to reports from elsewhere, we recognised familial cases incorporating the range of haematological malignancies, that is, not confined to a single diagnosis. Furthermore the average number of cases per extended family tree has exceeded that of any prior report. An unexpected discovery from the detailed familial analysis was that of anticipation, the phenomenon whereby the symptoms of a disorder become apparent at an earlier age as it is passed on to the next generation. These findings strengthen the case for there being genetic anomalies underlying the development of haematological malignancies at least in some cases, and are the subject of ongoing research

Item Type:	Contribution to Refereed Journal
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology
Research Field:	Haematology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Cancer and Related Disorders
UTAS Author:	Lowenthal, RM (Professor Ray Lowenthal)
UTAS Author:	Tegg, EM (Dr Elizabeth Tegg)
UTAS Author:	Dickinson, JL (Professor Joanne Dickinson)
ID Code:	89976
Year Published:	2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:	2
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2014-03-20
Last Modified:	2014-03-20
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