Aldred Scott Warthin

Aldred Scott Warthin
Born	October 21, 1866 Greensburg, Indiana, USA
Died	May 23, 1931 Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Known for	Hereditary cancer research
Scientific career
Fields	Pathology
Institutions	University of Michigan

Aldred Scott Warthin (October 21, 1866 – May 23, 1931) was an American pathologist known for his pioneering research in the field of hereditary cancer. He is best remembered for his work on what is now known as Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of many types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.

Early Life and Education

Aldred Scott Warthin was born in Greensburg, Indiana, in 1866. He pursued his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Michigan, where he earned his M.D. in 1891. Warthin's interest in pathology was sparked during his medical studies, leading him to further specialize in this field.

Career

Warthin joined the faculty of the University of Michigan in 1895, where he worked as a pathologist. He became a full professor in 1903 and served as the director of the Pathology Department from 1903 until his death in 1931. His tenure at the University of Michigan was marked by significant contributions to the understanding of hereditary diseases and cancer.

Research on Hereditary Cancer

Warthin's most notable contribution to medical science was his research on hereditary cancer. In the early 20th century, he began studying a family with a high incidence of cancer, which he referred to as "Family G." Through meticulous documentation and analysis, Warthin demonstrated that cancer could be inherited, a groundbreaking concept at the time.

His work laid the foundation for the identification of Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that predisposes individuals to various types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer. Warthin's research was instrumental in shifting the medical community's understanding of cancer from purely environmental causes to include genetic factors.

Legacy

Aldred Scott Warthin's contributions to the field of pathology and hereditary cancer research have had a lasting impact. His work paved the way for future research into genetic predispositions to cancer and the development of genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer syndromes.

Also see

• Lynch syndrome
• Hereditary cancer
• Pathology
• University of Michigan