Anamnestic studies in multiple sclerosis: A relationship between familial multiple sclerosis and neoplasia

A survey of family histories of malignant neoplasia in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients indicates that a positive history of cancer in near relatives is present in 44% of patients and 46% of controls. However, those MS patients having such a positive history were much more likely than others to also have a family history of MS. Contrariwise, MS patients with a positive family history of MS had a significantly higher rate of cancer in first degree relatives (71%) than others. There was a trend indicating less cancer in families of MS patients possessing the HLA-B7 and DW2 histocompatibility antigens.