Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Program

The Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Program helps to identify and provide comprehensive, coordinated medical care for families that have a hereditary colon or gastrointestinal cancer syndrome. Our program is led by Daniel C. Chung, MD, and includes specialists in both gastroenterology and genetics.

Patients with pathogenic variants in hereditary colon or gastrointestinal genes are managed comprehensively with our team of physicians and genetic counselors. We also provide risk assessment for patients interested in an evaluation for hereditary colon cancer or other gastrointestinal cancers. During the initial genetics consultation, family history is carefully reviewed. If your personal or family history suggests a possible genetic risk, we will discuss the option of genetic testing.

Should You Consider Genetic Counseling?

Our program is appropriate for any individual that has a pathogenic variant in a colon or gastrointestinal cancer predisposition gene. It may also be right for you if you have a personal or family history of one or more of the following:

• Early-onset colorectal, uterine, stomach or other gastrointestinal cancers
• Two or more primary colon or gastrointestinal cancers
• Early-onset or multiple gastrointestinal polyps
• Multiple family members with pancreatic cancer

Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Diseases

The syndromes most commonly discussed with patients in our program include:

• Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome: People with Lynch syndrome are at an increased risk of colon, uterine, stomach, ovarian, small bowel and other types of cancers. The genes responsible for this syndrome are MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM.
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome: People with FAP have a greater risk of developing multiple colon and other gastrointestinal polyps as well as certain types of colon and other gastrointestinal cancers. The gene responsible for this syndrome is APC.
• MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) syndrome: MAP syndrome results in an increased risk of multiple colon and other gastrointestinal polyps as well as colorectal cancer. The gene responsible for this syndrome is MUTYH.
• Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) syndrome: People with HDGC have an increased risk of developing diffuse stomach cancer and lobular breast cancer. The gene responsible for this syndrome is CDH1.
• Familial pancreatic cancer: Some families have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Depending on the other cancers in the family, genetic testing may be appropriate to help assess the risk to family members.

View our library of fact sheets about inherited cancer risk and genetic testing.