are brain tumours past on in family genetics?

my uncle died of a brain tumour this time last year and my nan (his mum) has just been diagnosed with the same type of tumour . the specialists at the royal free have said that this is hereditary cancer and want the family to be screened. With my nan and where the tumour is they have been unable to do a bi-opsee (dont know if thats spelt right) so how can they tell us its herediary? plus what test would they carry out on the family to see if we have the potential to get the same form of cancer in future?

[Jordanna Joaquina, MS, CGC]

Cancer is a multifactorial condition, which means it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Although most cases of brain cancer are not inherited and occur sporadically, a small percentage of cases are due to a hereditary cancer syndrome or a genetic condition.

There are multiple hereditary cancer syndromes and genetic conditions that are associated with different types of brain cancer. We recommend that your family have a cancer genetic consultation. Here are some questions that may be helpful to ask the genetic professionals involved with your family:

What specific cancer syndrome(s) do they believe your family history is suggestive of?

What are the cancer risks associated with that specific cancer syndrome?

What are the available genetic testing options as well as the benefits and limitations of such testing?

What are the recommended cancer screening and surveillance procedures related to that specific cancer syndrome?

Hope this information is helpful, and we wish your family the best.