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Li-Fraumeni (LFS) is a rare inherited syndrome that can lead to an increased risk of several types of cancer. It is also called the sarcoma, breast, leukemia, and adrenal gland (SBLA) cancer syndrome. Li-Fraumeni syndrome is hereditary, meaning that it is caused by a change (mutation) in a gene that can be passed down in families.
People with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) have an increased risk of several types of cancer, including:
These cancers often develop in relatively young adults or even children.
This syndrome is most often caused by an inherited mutation in the TP53 gene, which is a tumor suppressor gene. A normal TP53 gene makes a protein that helps stop abnormal cells from growing. When a mutation occurs in the TP53 gene, abnormal cells can divide uncontrollably and become cancer.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is often diagnosed when a person suspected of having the syndrome has genetic testing to look for an inherited TP53 gene mutation in their cells. However, not everyone with Li-Fraumeni syndrome is found to have a TP53 mutation.
LFS is usually considered in people who are diagnosed with a sarcoma when they are younger than 45 years old, or who have family members diagnosed with any cancer when they are younger than 45 years old. These people are often advised to get genetic counseling, and possibly genetic testing.
To learn more about genetic counseling and testing, see Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk.
People with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) have a high risk of developing some cancers during their lifetime (listed above). Some people might even develop more than one type of cancer. There are several reasons it might be important to know if you have Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
If you have a TP53 mutation, some of your blood-related family members might have it, too. Talk to your close relatives (parents, siblings, and children) about getting tested for Li-Fraumeni. If they prefer to not get tested, they may want to start screening for certain cancers early or take other precautions to lower their risk of cancer.
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
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Thariat J, Chevalier F, Orbach D, Ollivier L, Marcy PY, Corradini N, Beddok A, Foray N, Bougeard G. Avoidance or adaptation of radiotherapy in patients with cancer with Li-Fraumeni and heritable TP53-related cancer syndromes. Lancet Oncol. 2021 Dec;22(12):e562-e574. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00425-3. PMID: 34856153.
https://www.lfsassociation.org/what-is-lfs/treatment-preventive-screening/
Accessed May 20, 2024
Last Revised: May 21, 2024
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