Question

Do parental genetics lead to pediatric tumors?

Answer

Pediatric malignant tumors typically develop in children aged only a few months to a few years after birth and often accompany various congenital malformations, presenting as bilateral or multifocal diseases. For example, leukemia may be accompanied by congenital undescended testes; nephroblastoma may be associated with unilateral limb hypertrophy and hypospadias, and can also manifest as simultaneous occurrence on both sides; sacrococcygeal teratoma may be associated with cleft lip or spinal deformities, among others. These characteristics all suggest a genetic tumor, and even if there is no history of tumor in their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or the entire family, the onset of the disease may still be closely related to genetic factors.