Around 10-20% of gastric cancer patients have relatives with a diagnosis of GC and in 1-3% of patients a genetic cause can be confirmed. Histopathologically, GC is classified into intestinal-type, with glandular growth, and diffuse-type with poorly cohesive growth pattern often with signet ring cells. Familial or hereditary GC is classified into hereditary diffuse GC (HDGC), familial intestinal GC (FIGC) and polyposis forms. This review focuses on recent research findings and new concepts of hereditary GC.
Keywords: E-Cadherin; Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer; Stomach.