Several studies have investigated the frequency of BRCA1/2 and TP53 mutations in families with breast and/or ovarian cancer or Li–Fraumeni (LFS) or LFS-like (LFL) syndrome (Sidransky et al, 1992; Varley et al, 1997; Gayther et al, 1998; Peto et al, 1999; Loman et al, 2001). The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.