Expert: Meir Wetzler <B>M. D.</B> - 1/10/2006

Question
My husband's father and grandfather(paternal) both had leukemia. Both were diagnosed past age 60(his father diagnosed a couple of years ago at age 70 and was told he can live another 15 or so years with no treatment). I don't know what kind of leukemia they had(they're Dutch, and we're not really sure how the terms translate), but we're wondering if leukemia can be hereditary, and if my husband should be concerned. If it is hereditary, is there anything we can do to lessen the chances he will develop it?

Thank you for any information you can give!

Answer
Dear Jessica,
Overall leukemia is not hereditary but there are rare reports of family clusters, that is, more than one case in a family. The information provided does not give sufficient information about the type of leukemia and therefore one cannot appreciate if there is indeed an increased risk. Please have your husband consult his physician.
Thx, Meir.