Spousal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Case Report of a Metachronous Presentation of Breast Cancer in a Genetically Unrelated Couple

Anikó Kovács, Toshima Z Parris and Barbro Linderholm

Department of Clinical Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden
Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden

^*Correspondance to: Anik� Kov�cs 

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Abstract:

We present a systematic review of the literature about spousal cancer, concerning the possible cancer aetiology of synchronous and metachronous, concordant and discordant cancer types in married couples. Synchronous and metachronous breast cancer in spouses are extremely rare. We present here a married couple whom were diagnosed with metachronous breast cancer, with a 10- year delay in onset in the husband. This case of spousal breast cancer may represent a coincidental phenomenon, as breast cancer is quite uncommon in men. It has been postulated that exposure to viral, nutritional and environmental / contamination factors for extended periods of time might facilitate cancer development in the same organ in spouses. However, current cancer incidence rates among cohabitants are relatively low.

Keywords:

Spousal cancer; Connubial cancer; Epidemiology; Spouses; Married couples; Breast cancer

Cite the Article:

Kovács A, Parris TZ, Linderholm B. Spousal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Case Report of a Metachronous Presentation of Breast Cancer in a Genetically Unrelated Couple. Clin Oncol. 2017; 2: 1352.