Genetic epidemiology of cancer in Romania

Abstract

In Romania, there is a lack of quantitative data associating cancer risk with genetic characteristics. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate genetic risk factors associated with two major cancer types, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. The first result is the determination of the profile of common prostate cancer risk variants in the Romanian population. The second result is the identification of high-risk mutations in colorectal cancer genes associated with Lynch Syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment are key factors in determining the clinical development and survival of cancer patients. Genetic variants that can determine which early-stage tumors will progress to an aggressive form of the disease can change decision making for clinicians, patients, and their families. If genetic findings are to be translated into clinical utility, it is critical to understand the particularities of genetic epidemiology of cancer in Romania