Chromosome 5 Open Reading Frame 17 (C5orf17)

Changes in the structure of chromosome 5 are associated with certain forms of cancer and conditions related to cancer. These changes are typically somatic, which means they are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in tumor cells. Deletions in the long (q) arm of the chromosome have been identified in a form of blood cancer known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These deletions also frequently occur in a disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome, which is a disease of the blood and bone marrow. People with this condition have a low number of red blood cells (anemia) and an increased risk of developing AML. When myelodysplastic syndrome is associated with a specific deletion in the long arm of chromosome 5, it is known as 5q- (5q minus) syndrome.Studies suggest that some genes on chromosome 5 play critical roles in the growth and division of cells.