Down Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Down Syndrome, including details on education, symptoms, treatment, information.

The profile and incidence of cancer in Down syndrome.

Sullivan SG, Hussain R, Glasson EJ, Bittles AH

School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia. sheena.sullivan@edu.au

BACKGROUND: Down syndrome is one of the commonest causes of intellectual disability. As life expectancy improves with early and more intensive surgical and medical treatments, people with the disorder are more likely to exhibit classic morbidity and mortality patterns and be diagnosed with diseases such as cancer. METHODS: A profile of cancer cases among people with Down syndrome has been compiled, based on the analysis of a linked data set that included information from the Disability Services Commission of Western Australian and the State Cancer Registry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Although the total age- and sex-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for people with Down syndrome were similar to that for the general population, SIRs for leukaemia were significantly higher while the incidence of certain other types of cancers was reduced. Overall, there was a lower incidence of solid tumours in Down syndrome, possibly reflecting the age profile of the study cohort.

Published 15 February 2007 in J Intellect Disabil Res, 51: 228-31.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Down Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.