Medically reviewed by Jimena Vicencio, MD, on September 23, 2026.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive type of cancer of a very specific type of blood cell. BPDCN cells are found in the skin and other organs, lymph nodes, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and the central nervous system. BPDCN affects about 500 to 1000 people in the United States each year.
Though BPDCN involves genetic changes, it is not considered a hereditary cancer.
What is a hereditary condition?
A condition is hereditary if it is passed down from parents to their children. For example, if one parent has a specific genetic mutation and it is inheritable, their child could inherit the same mutation.
Some examples of hereditary conditions include:
Sickle cell disease
Huntington’s disease
Achondroplasia
Some types of cancer are considered hereditary. These are also called hereditary cancer syndromes. For example, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome. BPDCN is not considered a hereditary cancer.
Genetic mutations associated with BPDCN
There are genetic mutations that are associated with BPDCN.
The exact cause of BPDCN is not fully understood. It can involve genetic changes, but that does not mean the disease is inherited. In cancer, genetic changes can develop in cells during a person’s lifetime. These are called acquired mutations and are different from genetic changes that are passed down through families.
Researchers have found changes, or mutations, in certain genes within BPDCN cells. The most common genetic mutations found in people with BPDCN occur in the TET2 gene. This gene acts as a tumor suppressor. When TET2 mutates, its normal function is impaired, making it less effective at protecting cells from developing into cancer.
Studying these changes can help doctors better understand the disease and may provide information that helps guide treatment. However, these changes do not mean that BPDCN can be passed from a parent to a child.
What this means for patients and families
For most people with BPDCN, having the disease does not mean their children or other family members will develop it. The genetic changes found in BPDCN cells are generally different from inherited genetic changes that can be passed from parent to child.
Because BPDCN is rare, researchers are still learning more about its genetics and possible risk factors. Patients who are concerned about their personal or family history of cancer can talk with their healthcare team about whether genetic counseling or additional testing may be helpful
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