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Dupuytren's disease is classified as a benign superficial fibromatosis, in which excessive proliferation of myofibroblats and formation of nodules and chords occurs, followed by development of finger contractures. The similarities between Dupuytren's disease and neoplasms were shown at molecular and clinical grounds. The objective of the study was to review of the literature investigating possible relationship between occurrence of Dupuytren's disease and malignancies. Review of the few available papers shows (1) statistically significantly increased malignant neoplasm mortality among men with advanced Dupuytren's disease, comparing to reference population and men with early stage of the disease, (2) statistically significantly increased malignant neoplasm morbidity, mainly related to smoking and alcohol consumption among patients (men and women) operated on for Dupuytren's disease and (3) increased sarcoma of the bone and soft tissue morbidity in patients 5 years after operation for Dupuytren's disease. Some genetical studies show also altered expression of the dehydrogenases ALDH2 and DHDH genes in patients with Dupuytren's disease and with digestive tract malignancies related to alcohol abuse.

Alcohol sensitivity which is genetically controlled changes the risk of alcoholic diseases development in such individuals. There are differences in the allelic frequencies of the ALDH2, ADH2 and ADH3 loci, between alcoholics and nonalcoholics. It was shown that the atypical ALDH2/2 is an alcohol-rejecting gene and the usual ALDH1/2 gene is a major "alcoholic" gene. The kinetic differences of ADH2 isozymes may also affect drinking behavior. In conclusion, genetic polymorphism of the ALDH and ADH genes influence the risk of alcoholism development. It may be possible to control alcoholism by suppression of "alcoholic" genes expression through genomic intervention.