Objective: An exploratory analysis of co-aggregation of cancers using registry-based data.
Methods: We utilized sibships from over 18,000 families who had been recruited to the NCI-sponsored multi-institutional Cancer Genetics Network. The analysis assesses co-aggregation at the individual and family level and adjusts for ascertainment.
Results: We found statistically significant familial co-aggregation of lung cancer with pancreatic (adjusted p < 0.001), prostate (adjusted p < 0.003), and colorectal cancers (adjusted p = 0.004). In addition, we found significant familial co-aggregation of pancreatic and colorectal cancers (adjusted p = 0.018), and co-aggregation of hematopoietic and (non-ovarian) gynecologic cancers (adjusted p = 0.01).
Conclusion: This analysis identified familial aggregation of cancers for which a genetic component has yet to be established.