Analysis of PALB2/FANCN-associated breast cancer families.

No more than approximately 30% of hereditary breast cancer has been accounted for by mutations in known genes. Most of these genes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, CHEK2, ATM, and FANCJ/BRIP1, function in DNA repair, raising the possibility that germ line mutations in other genes that contribute to this process also predispose to breast cancer. Given its close relationship with BRCA2, PALB2 was sequenced in affected probands from 68 BRCA1/BRCA2-negative breast cancer families of Ashkenazi Jewish, French Canadian, or mixed ethnic descent.

Outcome of chromosomally abnormal pregnancies in Lebanon: obstetricians' roles during and after prenatal diagnosis.

Objectives: To better understand obstetrician experiences in Lebanon when disclosing abnormal amniocentesis results.

Methods: Structured interviews with 38 obstetricians identified as caregivers from the American University of Beirut Medical Center Cytogenetics Laboratory database of patients with abnormal amniocentesis results between 1999 and 2005.

Results: Obstetricians were primarily male, Christian, and with an average of 14 years of experience.