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Genetics Home Reference: your guide to understanding genetic conditions
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Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Reviewed January 2007

What is Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a rare disorder that greatly increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, particularly in children and young adults.

The cancers most often associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome include breast cancer, a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, and cancers of soft tissues (such as muscle) called soft tissue sarcomas. Other cancers commonly seen in this syndrome include brain tumors, cancers of blood-forming tissues (leukemias), and a cancer called adrenocortical carcinoma that affects the outer layer of the adrenal glands (small hormone-producing glands on top of each kidney). Several other types of cancer also occur more frequently in people with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

A very similar condition called Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome shares many of the features of classic Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Both conditions significantly increase the chances of developing multiple cancers beginning in childhood; however, the pattern of specific cancers seen in affected family members is different.

How common is Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

The exact prevalence of Li-Fraumeni is unknown. One U.S. registry of Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients suggests that about 400 people from 64 families have this disorder.

What genes are related to Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

The CHEK2 and TP53 genes are associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

More than half of all families with Li-Fraumeni syndrome have inherited mutations in the TP53 gene. TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene, which means that it normally helps control the growth and division of cells. Mutations in this gene can allow cells to divide in an uncontrolled way and form tumors. Other genetic and environmental factors are also likely to affect the risk of cancer in people with TP53 mutations.

A few families with cancers characteristic of Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome do not have TP53 mutations, but have mutations in the CHEK2 gene. Like the TP53 gene, CHEK2 is a tumor suppressor gene. Researchers are uncertain whether CHEK2 mutations actually cause these conditions or are merely associated with an increased risk of certain cancers (including breast cancer).

Related Gene(s)

Changes in these genes are associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

  • CHEK2
  • TP53

How do people inherit Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase the risk of developing cancer. In most cases, an affected person has a parent and other family members with cancers characteristic of the condition.

Where can I find information about diagnosis or management of Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

These resources address the diagnosis or management of Li-Fraumeni syndrome and may include treatment providers.

  • Gene Review: Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=li-fraumeni)
  • Genetic Testing Registry: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/C0085390)
  • Genetic Testing Registry: Li-Fraumeni syndrome 1 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/C1835398)
  • Genetic Testing Registry: Li-Fraumeni syndrome 2 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/C1836482)
  • MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Cancer (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001289.htm)
  • National Cancer Institute: Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/genetic-testing)

You might also find information on the diagnosis or management of Li-Fraumeni syndrome in Educational resources (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/li-fraumeni-syndrome/show/Educational+resources) and Patient support (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/li-fraumeni-syndrome/show/Patient+support).

General information about the diagnosis (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/diagnosis) and management (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/treatment) of genetic conditions is available in the Handbook. Read more about genetic testing (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing), particularly the difference between clinical tests and research tests (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/researchtesting).

To locate a healthcare provider, see How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.

Where can I find additional information about Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

You may find the following resources about Li-Fraumeni syndrome helpful. These materials are written for the general public.

  • MedlinePlus - Health information

    • Encyclopedia: Cancer (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001289.htm)
    • Health Topic: Bone Cancer (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonecancer.html)
    • Health Topic: Breast Cancer (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastcancer.html)
    • Health Topic: Cancer (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cancer.html)
    • Health Topic: Soft Tissue Sarcoma (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/softtissuesarcoma.html)
  • Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center - Information about genetic conditions and rare diseases (http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/gard/6902/resources/resources/1)

  • Additional NIH Resources - National Institutes of Health

    • National Cancer Institute: Childhood Cancers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/childhoodcancers)
    • National Cancer Institute: Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/genetics/breast-and-ovarian/HealthProfessional/page2)
    • National Cancer Institute: Recommendations on Predictive Testing for Germ Line p53 Mutations Among Cancer-Prone Individuals (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/genetics/breast/predictive-testing-p53-mutations)

  • Educational resources - Information pages

    • Mayo Clinic: Bone Cancer (http://www.mayoclinic.org/bone-cancer/)
    • Mayo Clinic: Soft Tissue Sarcoma (http://www.mayoclinic.org/soft-tissue-sarcoma/)
    • Orphanet (http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?Lng=EN&Expert=524)
    • Stanford Cancer Center (http://cancer.stanford.edu/information/geneticsAndCancer/types/lifrmni.html)

  • Patient support - For patients and families

    • American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org/)
    • CureSearch (the Children's Oncology Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation) (http://www.curesearch.org/)
    • National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (http://www.canceradvocacy.org/)
    • Resource list from the University of Kansas Medical Center (http://www.kumc.edu/gec/support/cancer.html)

You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.

  • Gene Reviews - Clinical summary (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=li-fraumeni)

  • Genetic Testing Registry - Repository of genetic test information

    • Genetic Testing Registry: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/C0085390)
    • Genetic Testing Registry: Li-Fraumeni syndrome 1 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/C1835398)
    • Genetic Testing Registry: Li-Fraumeni syndrome 2 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/conditions/C1836482)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov - Linking patients to medical research (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=%22Li-Fraumeni%20syndrome%22)
  • PubMed - Recent literature (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=(Li-Fraumeni%20Syndrome%5BMAJR%5D)%20AND%20(Li-Fraumeni%20syndrome%5BTIAB%5D)%20AND%20english%5Bla%5D%20AND%20human%5Bmh%5D%20AND%20%22last%201800%20days%22%5Bdp%5D)

  • OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog

    • LI-FRAUMENI SYNDROME 1 (http://omim.org/entry/151623)
    • LI-FRAUMENI SYNDROME 2 (http://omim.org/entry/609265)

What other names do people use for Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

  • LFS
  • Sarcoma, breast, leukemia, and adrenal gland (SBLA) syndrome
  • Sarcoma family syndrome of Li and Fraumeni
  • SBLA syndrome

For more information about naming genetic conditions, see the Genetics Home Reference Condition Naming Guidelines (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ConditionNameGuide) and How are genetic conditions and genes named? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/naming) in the Handbook.

What if I still have specific questions about Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

Ask the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/).

What glossary definitions help with understanding Li-Fraumeni syndrome?

adrenal glands ; autosomal ; autosomal dominant ; cancer ; carcinoma ; cell ; gene ; hormone ; kidney ; leukemia ; osteosarcoma ; prevalence ; sarcoma ; soft tissue ; syndrome ; tissue ; tumor ; tumor suppressor gene

You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary).

References

  • Chompret A. The Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Biochimie. 2002 Jan;84(1):75-82. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11900879?dopt=Abstract)
  • de Jong MM, Nolte IM, te Meerman GJ, van der Graaf WT, Oosterwijk JC, Kleibeuker JH, Schaapveld M, de Vries EG. Genes other than BRCA1 and BRCA2 involved in breast cancer susceptibility. J Med Genet. 2002 Apr;39(4):225-42. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11950848?dopt=Abstract)
  • Melean G, Sestini R, Ammannati F, Papi L. Genetic insights into familial tumors of the nervous system. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2004 Aug 15;129C(1):74-84. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15264275?dopt=Abstract)
  • Moule RN, Jhavar SG, Eeles RA. Genotype phenotype correlation in Li-Fraumeni syndrome kindreds and its implications for management. Fam Cancer. 2006;5(2):129-33. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16736281?dopt=Abstract)
  • Olivier M, Goldgar DE, Sodha N, Ohgaki H, Kleihues P, Hainaut P, Eeles RA. Li-Fraumeni and related syndromes: correlation between tumor type, family structure, and TP53 genotype. Cancer Res. 2003 Oct 15;63(20):6643-50. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14583457?dopt=Abstract)
  • Strong LC. General keynote: hereditary cancer: lessons from Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Gynecol Oncol. 2003 Jan;88(1 Pt 2):S4-7; discussion S11-3. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12586075?dopt=Abstract)
  • Varley J. TP53, hChk2, and the Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Methods Mol Biol. 2003;222:117-29. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12710683?dopt=Abstract)
  • Varley JM. Germline TP53 mutations and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Hum Mutat. 2003 Mar;21(3):313-20. Review. Erratum in: Hum Mutat. 2003 May;21(5):551. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12619118?dopt=Abstract)
  • Wong P, Verselis SJ, Garber JE, Schneider K, DiGianni L, Stockwell DH, Li FP, Syngal S. Prevalence of early onset colorectal cancer in 397 patients with classic Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2006 Jan;130(1):73-9. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16401470?dopt=Abstract)

 

The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.

 
Reviewed: January 2007
Published: May 13, 2013