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To Make An Appointment:
617-724-1971
Director: Daniel Chung, MD
Genetic
Services
 Our
program accepts patients with personal and/or family histories
of any gastrointestinal cancer or intestinal polyps including:
colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and gastric (stomach) cancer.
It is estimated that approximately 20% of people with gastrointestinal
cancers have a family history of the disease. Some of these
cases are due to hereditary syndromes linked with gastrointestinal
cancers and/or polyps such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
(FAP or Gardner syndrome), Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon
Cancer syndrome (HNPCC or Lynch syndrome), Cowden syndrome,
MYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) syndrome and Peutz-Jeghers
syndrome.Genetic counseling is available by appointment in
order to learn more about hereditary causes of gastrointestinal
cancers and polyps and genetic testing options. In addition,
patients have the option of participating in research studies.
 Individuals with following histories should consider gastrointestinal
cancer genetic counseling:
- Personal history of gastrointestinal cancer (colon/rectal,
stomach, pancreatic) and at least one close family member
with a similar gastrointestinal cancer
- Two or more close family members with the same or related
gastrointestinal cancers (colon/rectal, stomach, pancreatic)
- Personal history of two or more gastrointestinal cancers
(colon/rectal, stomach, pancreatic) or related cancers (uterine,
ovarian, kidney, bladder, biliary)
- Personal or family history of early-onset (below age
50) gastrointestinal cancer (colon/rectal, stomach, pancreatic)
- Multiple colonic polyps (greater than 10 over a lifetime)
in any family member at any age
- Download
program brochure (pdf)
Gastrointestinal
Cancer Genetics Research
Our program oversees clinical and laboratory research regarding
the hereditary causes of gastrointestinal cancer. We participate
in joint studies with other institutions as well as pursue research
specifically at Massachusetts General Hospital/Partners Cancer
Care. Studies are focused on discovering new genes and the effects
of known hereditary cancer genes as well as methods of detecting
hereditary cancer syndromes. Patients have the option to participate
in the following studies.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Registry
The purpose of this study is to collect blood samples, medical
records from cancer diagnoses, and family history information
in order to build a collection of information for future research
questions. Participants in this study do not receive individual
genetic research results but will be informed of any useful
information learned from the overall research. Participation
requires one (10 minute) conversation in person or over the
phone with the genetic counselor for consenting and taking
family history, filling out a consent form at home or person,
and one blood draw (3 tubes) at Massachusetts General Hospital
or any other facility.
Contact: Center for Cancer Risk Assesment 617-724-1971.
INFORM Study (Massachusetts General Hospital and Fox
Chase Cancer Center)
The purpose of this study is to determine whether individuals
with colorectal cancer who are having their cancer screened
for a hereditary cause may benefit from education via a CD
ROM.
Contact: Center for Cancer Risk Analysis 617-724-1971
FACTS Study (Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana-Farber
Cancer Center)
This study involves families with a history of colorectal
cancer. Its goals are to assess health behaviors and health
care received by individuals who may have a personal or family
history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
Contact: Center for Cancer Risk Analysis 617-724-1971
Genetics Specialists
Director
Daniel C. Chung, MD
Medical Oncology
Eunice L. Kwak, MD, PhD
Psychiatric Consultants
William F. Pirl, MD
Genetic Counselors
Lauren Carpiniello, MS
Devanshi Patel, MS
Kristen Mahoney Shannon, MS, CGC
Gayun Chan Smutko, MS
Gastrointestinal
Cancer Genetics Information
Download detailed information about hereditary causes of the
following:
Additional sources of information:
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