Perinatal origin of malignant diseases

: In the present days the molecular genetical investigations are the mainstream of establishing the etiology of malignant diseases. Beside these surveys, prenatal, neonatal, environmental and developmental risk factors for malignancy have repeatedly been investigated during the last few years. Mounting evidences show the importance of the intrauterine and perinatal period in tumor genesis and health quality in later life. This review article summarizes the results of traditional epidemiologic studies which identified a number of risk factors for malignancy. These easily detectable anamnestic data, developmental, physical features can further support the prenatal origin of tumors and can give new directions for the modern molecular genetical investigations.